According to data released by the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMİ), Turkey experienced intense air traffic as of 2024. A total of 2,290,581 flights took place last year, with 521,724 of these recorded as transit overflights. It was calculated that an aircraft passed through Turkish airspace every 14 seconds. The number of transit overflights increased by 5.5% compared to the previous year.
Record Growth in Aviation
As of 2024, commercial flights accounted for 62% of aircraft movements, with 1,412,238 take-offs and landings recorded. Domestic air traffic reached 902,078 flights, while international traffic stood at 866,779.
Turkey continued to expand its flight network through various aviation agreements. In 2002, flights were operated to just 60 destinations across 50 countries. By 2024, this number had grown to 349 destinations in 132 countries.
There was also a significant rise in passenger numbers. While approximately 34.5 million passengers travelled by air in 2002, this figure exceeded 230.2 million by the end of 2024.
Number of Airports Increased from 26 to 58
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that the number of operational airports had increased from 26 in 2002 to 58 in 2024. Highlighting Turkey’s geographical advantage, Uraloğlu emphasised that the country has become one of the nations with the most extensive flight networks in the world, achieving significant international success in aviation.
Air Travel Becomes the People’s Choice
Uraloğlu underlined that air travel has become “the people’s way” thanks to investments made over the past 22 years. He also pointed out that Turkey is strategically positioned within a four-hour flight radius of 1.5 billion people across 67 countries, with a combined gross domestic product of $51.2 trillion.
2025 Targets and Environmental Commitment
In his statement, Minister Uraloğlu noted that efforts for 2025 are focused on ensuring that Turkish civil aviation continues to rise as a “global star.” He stressed their commitment to enhancing service quality standards with a passenger satisfaction focus, as well as continuing environmentally friendly projects.
As Turkey continues to invest in its aviation sector, it is steadily progressing towards becoming a leading global transportation hub.
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