Tourexpi
Turkey Sees Strong Passenger Growth – Holiday Regions Drive Demand
Turkey
remains one of the most popular holiday destinations on the Mediterranean. In
the first eight months of 2025, 162.6 million people traveled by air – an
increase of 4.6 percent compared to the previous year. Growth was particularly
strong in the country’s key tourist regions.
Holiday
Destinations on the Rise
Between
January and August, the major leisure airports of Antalya, Izmir, Dalaman, and
Bodrum handled a combined 42.2 million passengers. Antalya led the way with
26.1 million travelers, underscoring its role as an international hub for sun
and beach holidays. Izmir Adnan Menderes welcomed 8.3 million passengers,
Dalaman 3.9 million, and Milas-Bodrum 3.1 million.
High
Season Boost
In
August alone, Turkish airports recorded 27.7 million passengers – a 9.7 percent
increase compared to the same month last year. Antalya reported record figures
during this period, driven largely by families and package holidaymakers
filling flights to the Riviera and Aegean coast.
Istanbul
as a Gateway
The
two major airports in Istanbul continue to play a central role. From January to
August, Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen together served more than 86 million
passengers – accounting for over half of all air traffic in Turkey. Many
international travelers begin their onward journeys to the country’s resort
regions from here.
Image
Credit: © AA
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