ANKARA AND BEYOND: AIRPORT TRAFFIC SOARS IN TURKEY
Air Traffic: Over 85 Million Travelers Use Airports Within a Five-Month Span
The Rise of Air Travel in Türkiye
Good news for the skies! In the first five months of 2025, Turkey's airports witnessed a 6.5% increase in air traffic compared to the same period last year, according to Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu.
Here's a breakdown of the impressive numbers:
From January to May 2025: 1. Total passengers: 85.4 million 2. Aircraft movements: 910,988 3. Total cargo transported: 1.9 million tons
May's stats show even more encouraging growth: 1. Domestic flights: 8.5 million passengers 2. International flights: 12.7 million passengers 3. Aircraft movements: 215,808 4. Total cargo transported: 437,863 tons
The Hub of Airlines: Istanbul
The major players among Turkey's airports are undoubtedly those in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Airport: 31.9 million passengers
- Domestic: 6.4 million passengers
- International: 25.5 million passengers
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport: 18.1 million passengers
- Domestic: 7.8 million passengers
Regional Highlights
Tourism hotspots also reported considerable traffic:
- Antalya Airport: 9.6 million travelers
- İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport: 4.4 million passengers
- Muğla Dalaman Airport: 1.2 million passengers
- Muğla Milas-Bodrum Airport: 918,020 passengers
- Gazipaşa-Alanya: 274,781 passengers
With these numbers, it's clear that air travel in Turkey continues to thrive. The country's airports are not only supporting growing passenger traffic but also contributing to tourism and trade growth, as emphasized by Uraloğlu.
So buckle up, Turkey's air travel industry shows no signs of slowing down!
Some Interesting Facts about Turkish Airlines
- Turkish Airlines operates regular flights from Ankara, including THY2117 and THY2175.
- Safety regulations have recently impacted air travel, with Turkey enforcing fines for non-compliance, such as not keeping seat belts fastened until the plane has come to a complete stop[3].
For up-to-date and more detailed statistics, consult the official reports and databases maintained by Turkish aviation authorities or airports.
- The increase in air traffic in Turkey is not only beneficial for the aviation industry but also provides a boost to the finance sector, as revenue from air travel and tourism contributes significantly to the nation's economy.
- With Turkey's air travel industry showing no signs of slowing down, traders and businesses in the finance, transportation, and lifestyle sectors might find travel-related opportunities in various regions beyond just Ankara and Istanbul, such as exploring new markets in Antalya, Izmir, Dalaman, Milas-Bodrum, and Alanya due to the high tourist traffic at these destinations.