Antalya has been selected to host the 20th edition of Routes Europe, a leading aviation event focused on strengthening air service connectivity across the continent.
The announcement was made on 4 March 2026 at ITB Berlin, with the 2027 event to be hosted by Fraport TAV Antalya Airport. The gathering will bring together airline, airport and tourism industry decision makers to discuss route development and aviation growth across Europe.
Located on Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast, Antalya is one of the region’s leading leisure destinations and a key market for airlines during both peak and shoulder seasons. The destination recently recorded its highest-ever visitor numbers for January, reflecting growing demand beyond traditional summer travel as its mix of cultural, adventure and eco-focused tourism offerings expands.
Operated by a joint venture between TAV Airports and Fraport, Antalya Airport is Turkey’s second busiest airport in terms of international traffic. Completed in April 2025, an EUR 865M investment more than doubled terminal and airside capacity and increased annual passenger capacity to 65 million.
Antalya Airport handled a record 39.2 million passengers in 2025, reinforcing its role as a critical gateway for Türkiye’s tourism industry. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, travel and tourism in Türkiye are expected to contribute ₺7 trillion ($160 billion) to the economy by 2035, representing nearly 13% of GDP, and support 3.8 million jobs, including more than 500,000 new roles over the next decade.
Steven Small, Director of Routes, said, “Routes Europe 2027 comes at a perfect time for the airport, having recently completed the first phase of the major expansion project. This significant investment has resulted in capacity for further traffic growth.”
Small added: “With decision makers from over 110 of the region’s leading airlines in attendance, I am confident that this event will unlock new opportunities, drive sustainable growth and solidify Antalya’s position as a leading holiday airport in the Mediterranean region.”
Deniz Varol, Fraport TAV GM, stated, “We are delighted to welcome Routes Europe 2027 to Antalya at such an important stage in our airport’s development. Following the completion of the first phase of our major expansion program, Antalya Airport is well equipped to accommodate future growth and further strengthen its connectivity across Europe and beyond”.
Frank Quante, Fraport TAV GM, added, “Hosting this prestigious event will provide a valuable opportunity to engage with airline partners and industry stakeholders, showcase the strength of the Antalya market, and support the sustainable development of new air services. We look forward to demonstrating the long-term potential of Antalya as a year-round Mediterranean destination.”
The destination hosts numerous national and international events every year, with the 2026 calendar including the U.N. climate change conference COP31. The growing recognition of Antalya as a world-class conference destination has further supported visitor numbers outside of traditional high seasons.
Top Photo Credit: ArtEvent ET / Shutterstock.com
