Turkey’s airports served 162.6 million passengers in the first eight months of 2025, marking a 4.6% year-on-year increase in total air travel, including direct transit passengers. The data, released by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, includes domestic and international traffic across all airports under the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMI).
From January through August, Turkey recorded 654,086 domestic and 616,853 international aircraft movements. Including overflights, total aircraft traffic reached 1,649,035—a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Cargo traffic also rose, with 3.35 million tons handled in the eight-month period, including over 2.7 million tons on international routes.
Istanbul Airports Account for Over Half of National Passenger Volume
Istanbul Airport, a central hub in Turkey’s aviation network, recorded 55.3 million passengers between January and August. Of these, 11.8 million traveled on domestic routes, while 43.4 million were international travelers. The airport handled 362,069 aircraft movements over the period.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Istanbul’s second-largest air hub, served 31.2 million passengers in the same timeframe, with 13.8 million on domestic flights and 17.4 million on international routes. The airport saw a total of 178,296 aircraft landings and takeoffs, including nearly 103,000 international flights.
In August alone, the combined passenger traffic at Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen reached nearly 13 million. According to Minister Uraloğlu, “One in every two passengers used Istanbul’s airports” that month. Istanbul Atatürk Airport, primarily used for general aviation, recorded 2,706 aircraft movements in August.
Tourism Hubs Drive International Traffic
Airports in Turkey’s major tourism centers handled 42.2 million passengers in the January–August period. Of these, 29.2 million traveled internationally, reflecting continued demand for air access to the country’s coastal destinations. Domestic traffic at these airports totaled 12.9 million.
Antalya Airport led all tourism-focused airports with 26.1 million passengers, followed by İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport with 8.3 million and Muğla Dalaman Airport with 3.9 million. Muğla Milas-Bodrum Airport handled 3.1 million passengers, while Gazipaşa Alanya Airport recorded 685,788 passengers.
These five airports collectively logged 285,578 aircraft movements, including 184,185 on international routes, reinforcing their strategic role in Turkey’s tourism economy.
August Performance Signals Continued Growth
In August alone, Turkey’s airports served 27.7 million passengers, up 9.7% from August 2024. Domestic traffic totaled 10.5 million, while international routes accounted for over 17.2 million passengers. Aircraft movements for the month reached 261,755, including 104,661 international flights and 101,329 domestic flights.
Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that Turkey’s environmentally friendly and passenger-focused airport infrastructure continues to support rising demand. Cargo traffic for the month reached 511,987 tons, with over 407,000 tons moved on international routes.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure will continue monitoring aviation metrics throughout the final quarter, as the country’s key airports prepare for increased seasonal travel into the winter months.
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