Turkish Airports Welcome 82 Million Passengers in First Five Months of 2024
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkiye’s transport and infrastructure minister, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, announced that Turkish airports have accommodated a staggering 82 million passengers within the initial five months of this year. This notable surge represents a substantial 12.7 percent increase compared to the corresponding period last year, as revealed by data from the General Directorate Of State Airports Authority (DHMI).
During this five-month span, domestic flight passengers reached 37.1 million, marking an 11.1 percent rise from the previous year, while international flight passengers reached 44.9 million, showcasing a notable 12.7 percent increase. Additionally, cargo traffic reached a remarkable 1.7 million tonnes during this period, further illustrating the robust activity within Turkey’s aviation sector.
Of particular note are the statistics surrounding Istanbul Airport, which served as a hub for 31 million passengers during the aforementioned period, indicating an 8 percent increase year-on-year. Furthermore, the airport facilitated the movement of 207,800 planes, demonstrating a 5 percent rise compared to the previous year.
Sabiha Gokcen Airport, Turkiye’s second-busiest airport situated on Istanbul’s Anatolian side, also witnessed significant growth, welcoming 16.2 million passengers, an impressive 20 percent increase from the previous year. Moreover, the airport handled 96,700 planes during this period, indicating a 10 percent rise year-on-year.
In May alone, Turkish airports experienced a notable influx of 20.2 million passengers, marking a 7.5 percent surge compared to the same month last year. This month also saw the servicing of 200,600 planes, an 8.4 percent increase, including overpasses. Additionally, cargo traffic reached 404,700 tonnes during May, further underscoring the robust activity within Turkey’s aviation industry.
Notably, Istanbul Airport served 6.7 million passengers in May, witnessing a 3 percent increase, alongside 44,700 planes, marking a 2 percent rise from the previous year. Similarly, Sabiha Gokcen Airport hosted 3.4 million passengers during May, accompanied by 20,200 planes.
These remarkable figures affirm Turkiye’s burgeoning position as a key player in the global aviation sector, showcasing its capacity to accommodate a growing number of passengers and cargo, while also highlighting the strategic significance of its airports, particularly Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport, in facilitating this upward trajectory.
