Turkey’s air traffic is soaring, with 175,353 aircraft movements and over 16 million passengers recorded in January 2025, according to new data from the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMİ).
This marks a 13% increase in total aircraft traffic and a 9.9% rise in passenger numbers compared to the same period in 2024.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu highlighted the country’s growing aviation sector, emphasizing that 72,517 domestic flights and 58,293 international flights contributed to the surge. Istanbul’s airports played a major role, with Istanbul Airport alone handling over 6.4 million passengers and 42,921 flights in January.
Meanwhile, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport saw an impressive 16% rise in passenger traffic, reaching 3.67 million travelers, while Istanbul Atatürk Airport recorded 2,281 aircraft movements.
Tourism hubs also saw significant activity, with 2.09 million passengers passing through airports in key tourist destinations like Antalya, Izmir, and Bodrum. Antalya Airport led the way with over 1 million passengers, reinforcing its status as one of Turkey’s busiest travel gateways.
Cargo operations also witnessed strong growth, with 365,589 tons of freight transported in January, further solidifying Turkey’s position as a crucial hub for global air logistics.
As Turkey’s aviation industry continues to expand, the latest figures signal a strong start to 2025, setting the stage for another year of record-breaking air travel.
