Türkiye Sets 247M Air Travel Record with Passengers

Türkiye reached a historic milestone in air transportation in 2025, with more than 247 million passengers traveling through the country’s airports during the year, according to official data.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said the total number of air travelers, including direct transit passengers, stood at 247.16 million, marking the highest figure ever recorded in the nation’s aviation history.

“This achievement represents an all-time high in passenger traffic since the establishment of the Republic,” the minister said in a written assessment based on figures from the State Airports Authority (DHMI).

Aviation activity also expanded significantly. Total aircraft movements, including overflights, reached 2.51 million in 2025—an increase of 9.3% compared to the previous year. Passenger numbers grew by 7.1% year-on-year, reflecting sustained demand for air travel.

December saw notable momentum across the sector. Aircraft movements during the month climbed 11.7% from the same period in 2024, totaling 189,376 flights. Passenger traffic rose 12.6% to 17.53 million, including transit travelers.

Cargo performance also remained robust. Freight and mail volumes reached 412,007 tons in December, while total cargo traffic for the full year amounted to 5.15 million tons, according to DHMI data.

Istanbul Airport continued to lead the country’s aviation network. Passenger traffic at the hub increased 11% in December to 6.93 million, while annual passenger volume reached a record 84.46 million, up 5% from 2024. Aircraft movements at the airport rose 6% to 549,319 flights for the year.

Sabiha Gökçen International Airport also posted strong gains. Passenger numbers surged 18% in December to 4.2 million, and total traffic for the year climbed 17% to 48.42 million passengers. Aircraft movements there reached 274,620.

Türkiye’s leading tourism destinations experienced substantial air traffic throughout 2025. Airports in major holiday regions handled nearly 62.88 million passengers, with total aircraft movements recorded at 424,870.