Istanbul Airport has cemented its position as Europe's busiest airport, according to the latest data from the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL). With an average of 1,482 daily flights between 21 and 27 April 2024, the airport outperformed its European counterparts, including Amsterdam Schiphol, London Heathrow, Paris Charles De Gaulle, and Frankfurt. This achievement marks the third consecutive year Istanbul Airport has held this prestigious title, showcasing its growing influence in global aviation.

The airport's success is attributed to its state-of-the-art infrastructure, including the recent commencement of simultaneous triple runway operations on 17 April 2024. This feature not only positions Istanbul Airport as the first in Europe to operate three runways simultaneously but also as the second in the world, trailing only behind the United States. Such advancements have significantly enhanced the airport's capacity and efficiency, contributing to its record-breaking performance.

In 2024, Istanbul Airport handled approximately 80 million passengers, further solidifying its status as Europe's largest and second-busiest airport. The airport's passenger traffic saw a 4% increase year-on-year and a remarkable 24% surge compared to the same period in 2019. Additionally, it emerged as Europe's busiest air cargo hub last year, as per the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe's 2024 Annual Traffic Report, highlighting its pivotal role in both passenger and cargo transportation.

The continuous growth and achievements of Istanbul Airport underscore Turkey's strategic investments in the aviation sector, aiming to establish the country as a key global transit hub. With its unparalleled infrastructure and operational capabilities, Istanbul Airport is set to maintain its leadership in European aviation, fostering economic and tourism benefits for Turkey and beyond.

Families of the 29 victims killed in the 1994 Chinook helicopter crash are escalating their decades-long fight for answers, preparing to deliver a petition with more than 47,000 signatures to Downing Street demanding a public inquiry. The Chinook Justice Campaign has published 110 "critical questions" they want answered about the tragedy that claimed the lives of 25 intelligence experts and four special forces crew members when the aircraft crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on June 2, 1994.

The campaign comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer rejected calls for a judge-led inquiry into the incident, prompting families to declare they will "see the UK government in court." Among those delivering the petition on Tuesday are brothers Andy and Matt Tobias from Watford, whose father John Tobias was killed in the crash. The petition delivery will be accompanied by an attempt to deliver a letter directly to the Ministry of Defence.

Central to the families' concerns are questions about mission authorization, aircraft selection, and whether those on board were properly warned of risks. The campaign has gained momentum amid revelations that key documents related to the crash have been sealed until 2094—a century after the incident occurred. David Hill, technical expert for the Chinook Justice Campaign, characterized the government's position as "a betrayal by the state of them and their loved ones."

The crash investigation has followed a contentious path over the past three decades. Initial findings blamed pilot error for the tragedy, but this conclusion was overturned in 2011. The continuing secrecy surrounding the incident has drawn criticism from campaigners who argue it "undermines trust not only in the MoD but in the government itself." As families prepare to confront the government directly, the case represents one of Britain's longest-running military accountability battles.