Istanbul’s Airports Set New Passenger Records in 2025 - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Air travel in Istanbul reached unprecedented levels in 2025, as the city’s two main airports—IGA Istanbul Airport and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport—set new passenger records. According to Türkiye’s State Airports Authority (DHMI), a total of 132 million passengers passed through Istanbul’s air hubs by the end of the year, underscoring the city’s growing role as a global aviation crossroads.

IGA Istanbul Airport, located on the European side of the city, handled 80.4 million passengers in 2024, with traffic expected to reach around 84 million by the close of 2025. On the Asian side, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport served 48 million passengers this year, up from 41.4 million the previous year. Both airports recorded their highest passenger volumes since opening.

IGA Istanbul Airport strengthens global hub status

By the end of 2025, IGA Istanbul Airport is expected to have operated approximately 547,000 flights. Of its passengers, 48 percent were transfer travelers on long-haul routes, while 52 percent were arriving or departing passengers. The airport now connects Istanbul with more than 330 destinations worldwide.

Operational milestones also marked the year. On July 18, IGA recorded its highest-ever number of daily flights with 1,707 movements, followed by a peak passenger day on August 2, when 282,835 travelers passed through the terminal. On April 17, the airport became the first in Europe to successfully implement triple independent runway operations.

The number of scheduled passenger airlines operating at IGA reached a historic high of 116 in 2025. Looking ahead, the airport has set an ambitious annual passenger target of 90 million for 2026.

Sabiha Gökçen posts strong international growth

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport also posted a record year, hosting more than 270,000 flights and over 48 million passengers in 2025, according to airport operator HEAŞ. International travel accounted for 56 percent of passenger traffic, while domestic flights made up the remaining 44 percent.

Germany emerged as the most popular international destination, while Ercan Airport in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was the single most visited route overall. Domestically, Antalya Airport ranked as the leading destination.

On September 7, Sabiha Gökçen broke its daily records with 856 aircraft movements and 160,163 passengers in a single day. Compared to 2024, passenger traffic increased by 6 percent on domestic routes and by more than 24 percent on international routes.

Infrastructure investments boost capacity

Capacity expansion played a key role in supporting growth at Sabiha Gökçen. The renovation and reopening of Terminal 1 added an additional 5.5 million passengers per year to the airport’s capacity. In parallel, the completion of a 3,540-meter second runway—along with new taxiways, cargo and aircraft aprons, a control tower and supporting infrastructure designed for wide-body aircraft—significantly enhanced the airport’s operational capabilities.

Together, the record figures from both airports highlight Istanbul’s rising prominence as one of the world’s leading aviation hubs, bridging Europe, Asia and beyond.

Image Credit: © AA