According to statistics shared by Türkiye's General Directorate of State Airports Authority, airline transportation in Türkiye increased significantly in 2024, despite a period of ongoing international tensions.
The data indicates that airports in Türkiye received a total of 2.3 billion passengers last year, a 7.5 percent increase from the previous year. Total cargo transportation increased by 11.1 percent this year, reaching more than 4.94 million tonnes.
2.29 million domestic and international flights were conducted from airports across the country.
It is worth noting that even during the low period of the winter tourism season, airports in Türkiye continued to grow rapidly. The number of domestic and international passengers increased by 8.2 percent to over 15.56 million in December 2024.
Airports in tourism hubs such as İzmir and Antalya on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts broke historic records. İstanbul Airport, Türkiye's first-ranked airline hub, welcomed a total of 79.98 million passengers in 2024. İstanbul Airport welcomed 6.2 million passengers in December alone, making it one of the world's fastest-growing international airports.
Airline transportation is becoming a new source of growth for the Turkish economy. The country's abundant tourism resources provide a solid and long-term foundation for the growth of airline transportation.
It is estimated that İstanbul Airport alone will provide employment for 225 thousand people in 2025 and contribute 4.9 percent to the Turkish economy.