The Legacy of Hub‑and‑Spoke: How Megahubs Like Heathrow Shaped European Air Traffic

During the hub‑and‑spoke era of aviation, airports fell into two categories: megahubs and regional facilities. London Heathrow (LHR) exemplified the former, receiving jumbo jets that carried hundreds of passengers from around the world. Those passengers were then transferred to smaller aircraft that ferried them to their final destinations. The model created a clear two‑tier system, concentrating high‑volume traffic at a handful of airports while smaller airports handled feeder traffic. This historical arrangement still informs how airlines route flights and how airports plan capacity and infrastructure upgrades. The enduring influence of the hub‑and‑spoke framework underscores the strategic importance of airport classification in shaping European air travel patterns.