Istanbul Airport Continues to Impress with Record Passenger Numbers
In the first half of 2024, Turkish airports saw a significant increase in passenger numbers, with a total of 104.7 million passengers passing through. This marked an 11.8 percent increase compared to the previous year, according to data from the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMİ).
International and Domestic Travel on the Rise
Of the total passenger count, 58.6 million were international passengers, representing a 13 percent increase from the previous year. Domestic travel also saw a rise, with 46.2 million passengers, an increase of 10.2 percent annually.
Istanbul Airport Leads the Way
Istanbul Airport stood out with a total of 38.1 million travelers passing through its gates, marking a 7 percent increase compared to the previous year. The airport welcomed 29.8 million international passengers, a 10 percent increase, while domestic passenger numbers fell slightly to 8.15 million.
The Airports Council International (ACI) recently awarded Istanbul Airport the title of “Best Airport” in the category of airports with more than 40 million passengers. This recognition was shared with Rome Fiumicino Airport, highlighting Istanbul Airport’s strong growth story and operational performance in the region.
The Latest Statistics on Passenger Traffic at Turkish Airports
In a recent statement, ACI reported that Sabiha Gökçen, the second largest airport in Istanbul, experienced an 18 percent increase in total passenger traffic, reaching a total of 19.8 million passengers according to DHMİ data. International passenger traffic at the airport also saw a significant growth of nearly 16 percent, totaling 29.9 million passengers, while domestic passengers increased by 21 percent to 9.46 million.
Antalya, a popular holiday destination on the Mediterranean Coast, served a total of 14.57 million passengers in the first half of 2024, marking a 14 percent increase in passenger traffic. International passengers at the airport also rose by 14 percent, reaching 11.37 million.
During the month of June, Turkish airports collectively welcomed 22.7 million travelers, representing a 7.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Last month, airports in Turkey served 9 million domestic passengers and 13.65 million international passengers.
