Antalya Airport tops 39 million passengers in a record year

Turkey

Expanded capacity cements the gateway’s role as a cornerstone of tourism on Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast

Antalya Airport, the main gateway to the Turkish Riviera, handled 39.16 million passengers last year, according to figures from the State Airports Authority. The results underline the airport’s growing importance for leisure travel to the Mediterranean coast and its role in the wider aviation upswing across Türkiye.

Strong year-end traffic

Passenger volumes remained high through the final month of the year. In December alone, nearly 1.1 million travellers passed through the terminals, with more than half a million flying on domestic routes and close to 572,000 using international connections. Cargo operations also showed solid performance, reaching 466,130 tonnes over the year.

Key gateway to the Turkish Riviera

Antalya Airport ranks among the country’s busiest air hubs and serves as the primary entry point for visitors to the Turkish Riviera. Located around 13 kilometres northeast of Antalya’s city centre, the airport operates three terminals and connects the region with major markets across Europe and beyond.

Capacity expansion strengthens tourism role

Recent infrastructure upgrades have significantly increased the airport’s annual passenger capacity to more than 65 million. The expansion reinforces Antalya Airport’s position as a key driver of tourism along Türkiye’s Mediterranean coastline, supporting both seasonal peaks and year-round travel demand.

Part of nationwide aviation growth

The strong performance in Antalya mirrors broader trends in Türkiye’s aviation sector. Nationwide passenger numbers surpassed 247 million in 2025, setting a new all-time record. Istanbul Airport, the country’s largest hub, handled around 84.4 million passengers last year—roughly one third of the national total—further highlighting the scale of growth across Türkiye’s airport network.