Türkiye’s airline fleets expand significantly over five years - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

According to data from the Civil Aviation General Directorate, the total number of aircraft operated by Türkiye’s airlines for passenger and cargo services increased from 558 to 800 over the past five years. The growth reflects broader developments in the country’s aviation infrastructure and its positioning as a regional air transport and logistics hub.

Airport expansion fuels aviation growth

Türkiye’s advances in air transportation have been underpinned by extensive airport development. The opening of IGA Istanbul Airport, now one of the world’s largest, alongside expansion projects at Antalya and Ankara Esenboğa airports, has significantly increased capacity. As a result, Turkish airports now serve 356 destinations in 133 countries.

Passenger traffic reached a new record in 2025, surpassing 247 million travellers, underlining the scale and pace of growth in the sector.

Passenger aircraft dominate expanding fleets

Fleet expansion has closely followed the rise in air travel. By the end of 2025, the combined passenger and cargo fleet had grown by 43% compared with 2021. Over the same period, total seating capacity increased from 104,464 to 157,785 seats.

Passenger aircraft make up the vast majority of the fleet, with around 760 of the 800 registered aircraft dedicated to passenger transport. Cargo operations account for approximately 40 aircraft.

Turkish Airlines leads the market

Türkiye’s flag carrier Turkish Airlines operates the largest share of the national fleet, with 473 aircraft in service at the end of 2025. It is followed by Pegasus Airlines with 128 aircraft and SunExpress with around 81 aircraft, according to the aviation authority’s data.

Together, these figures highlight how fleet growth, infrastructure investment and rising demand have reinforced Türkiye’s role as a key aviation hub linking Europe, Asia and beyond.

Image Credit: © AA