Türkiye’s expanding aviation infrastructure has become a major driver of the country’s global competitiveness, with modern airports connecting economies, supporting international trade and reinforcing its role as a regional aviation hub, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ACI World Airport Experience Summit in Istanbul on Wednesday, Uraloglu said Türkiye’s geographical position and extensive airport network had helped transform the country into a key player in global aviation over the past two decades.
Istanbul Airport anchors Türkiye’s aviation growth
Uraloglu highlighted Istanbul Airport as the centrepiece of Türkiye’s aviation strategy, saying the country now connects to 356 destinations in 133 countries.
Türkiye handled a record 247 million air passengers last year, making it the third-largest aviation market in Europe and the seventh-largest worldwide, he said.
Istanbul Airport averages 1,665 flights a day and ranks as Europe’s busiest air hub, according to Uraloglu.
He said Türkiye had opened an average of 1.4 airports annually and plans to increase the number of airports from 58 to 60.
The country now has air transport agreements with 175 countries and has added 296 international destinations to its network over the past 20 years, he added.
New records and expanded capacity
Istanbul Airport handled 290,287 passengers across 1,739 flights on August 16, setting a new daily record for Türkiye and Europe, Uraloglu said. That record was surpassed on August 30, when the airport recorded 1,787 flights.
The airport has also renewed its highest Level 5 accreditation from Airports Council International World.
Türkiye now ranks sixth among European countries by air traffic volume, averaging around 4,400 flights per day, surpassing Greece, Poland, the Netherlands and Portugal, Uraloglu said.
Construction of Istanbul Airport’s fourth main runway has reached its final stage and is expected to enter service following technical testing, helping accommodate continued growth.
Focus on greener aviation
Uraloglu also pointed to Türkiye’s efforts to reduce aviation emissions. Most Turkish airports have secured carbon accreditation, while a newly implemented free-route airspace system is helping reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
The ACI World Airport Experience Summit, hosted by Istanbul Airport operator IGA and organised by Airports Council International World, began August 31 and runs through Friday, bringing together aviation executives from around the world to discuss the sector’s future.
