İGA İstanbul Airport has set a new passenger record for its premium lounge services after welcoming 172,357 guests in October, marking the highest monthly total since its opening. The milestone reflects a 25% increase in lounge visitors compared to the same period last year, as the airport continues to expand its global profile in customer experience and premium services.
The growth follows İGA İstanbul Airport’s achievement as the first airport in Europe to reach the highest tier in the Customer Experience Accreditation Programme by Airports Council International (ACI). The airport now operates three lounges across international and domestic terminals, covering more than 7,500 square metres and serving over 6 million travellers since launch.
Rising demand strengthens Istanbul’s premium travel offering
Rated among the “World’s Top 3 Airport Lounges” by independent rating agency Skytrax, the İGA Lounge has become a major draw for international travellers seeking upgraded pre-flight comfort. The facility hosts thousands of passengers from different cultures daily, offering expanded services designed to elevate Istanbul’s standing among global transit hubs.
İGA İstanbul Airport – Taya Passenger Services Deputy General Manager Abdulkadir Özkök said the lounge plays an essential role in shaping the airport’s international brand identity. “İGA Lounge is an important part of the global brand value of İGA Istanbul Airport,”said Abdulkadir Özkök, Deputy General Manager, İGA İstanbul Airport – Taya Passenger Services. “Throughout 2025, we aimed to elevate the experience we offer to our passengers not only to a point focused on comfort, but also to one that establishes an emotional connection and reflects the hospitality of our brand.”
Özkök added that the airport aims to position itself among the world’s leading premium lounge providers. “We are proud to redefine the lounge experience and make İGA Istanbul Airport a leader among premium lounges worldwide.” he said.
Focus on partnerships and innovation
The airport’s commercial strategy includes building stronger partnerships with financial institutions, membership platforms and cross-industry service providers. This approach is designed to expand access to lounge products while strengthening revenue performance in one of the airport’s most competitive service segments.
İGA İstanbul Airport Commercial Director Halil Anasoy said collaboration is central to sustaining the lounge’s commercial momentum.“We are increasing our commercial capacity every day by implementing collaborations across different sectors, and thanks to the strong connections we have established with financial institutions and membership systems,” said Halil Anasoy, Commercial Director, İGA İstanbul Airport. “In line with this understanding, our biggest goal is to offer our business partners the most efficient and sustainable lounge service in the world.”
Anasoy said the airport will continue developing new solutions to strengthen the travel experience. “As İGA Istanbul Airport, we are very excited to develop innovative solutions that will strengthen the passenger experience with this vision we pioneer on a global scale.” he added.
The strong performance of the İGA Lounge coincides with Istanbul’s broader rise as a global transit centre, fuelled by increasing international passenger flows and continued investment in large-scale airport infrastructure. With ongoing upgrades and a record of service awards, İGA İstanbul Airport aims to further enhance its appeal to travellers seeking high-quality lounge services across Europe and the Middle East.
As demand grows, airport officials say the lounge network will continue evolving to accommodate rising passenger numbers while maintaining service standards aligned with international benchmarks. The airport’s commitment to customer experience and premium hospitality positions it to remain a key competitor in the global aviation landscape.
