Between January and July, Istanbul welcomed an impressive 69.3 million passengers through its two airports. These figures testify to the city's status as a major air transport hub, attracting a wide variety of travellers from the four corners of the globe.
Istanbul once again stands out for its exceptional air traffic. Between January and July 69.3 million passengers through its two main airports, Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen airport.
Record performance for Istanbul's airports
These impressive figures testify not only to Istanbul's growing stature as an international hub, but also to its strategic importance in the regional and global air transport sector.
Istanbul Airport, inaugurated in 2018, continues to attract attention with its modern infrastructure capable of handling a massive flow of passengers. Sabiha Gökçen Airport, located on the Asian side of the city, is not to be outdone and contributes significantly to this influx.
Factors contributing to this increase
Several factors explain this significant increase in traffic:
- The gradual return to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The tourist attraction of Istanbul, known for its historic monuments and rich culture.
- The role of correspondence hub from Istanbul for flights between Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Impact on the local economy
The growth in passenger numbers has a direct and positive effect on the local economy. As well as attracting more visitors, it generates jobs in the service sector, improves tax revenues and stimulates infrastructure investment.
Forecasts for the rest of the year
With the arrival of the summer high season and the upturn in business travel, experts predict that numbers will continue to grow. Airport authorities are implementing various initiatives to improve the passenger experience and boost capacity.
Distribution and specific features of the two airports
| Istanbul Airport | Sabiha Gökçen Airport |
| Northwest of Istanbul | Southeast of Istanbul |
| Top of the range, numerous international connections | More domestic and low-cost flights |
Measures to manage the influx of passengers
To cope with this influx, Istanbul's airports have implemented a number of improvement measures:
- Reinforcement of safety systems.
- Digitization of services for smoother flow management.
- Increased aircraft parking capacity.
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