Tourexpi
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
The most interesting news
Read the News

Seabourn Launches 138-Day World Cruise from Miami to Lisbon
Seabourn Quest will visit 58 destinations in 31 countries and territories on a 2029 voyage spanning more than 32,000 nautical miles across five continents
Read the News

Orascom Expands Tourism Investment Across Oman
Projects in Hawana Salalah, Jebel Sifah and As Sodah Island continue to advance, with new hotels planned and investment in the private-island development set to exceed $90 million
Read the News

‘We See Ourselves Not Just as a Hotel, but as Hosts on La Gomera’
Inspired by the island’s traditional terraced fields, Bancal Hotel & Spa combines architecture, local cuisine, wellness and nature. Director Olivier Doche explains how the hotel aims to make La Gomera itself an integral part of every stay
Read the News

Chile marks National Wine Day with more than 50 experiences
Wine regions across the country will offer tastings, vineyard tours, dinners, heritage experiences and urban events for National Wine Day on September 4
Read the News

Club Med launches biggest ski sale for 2026/27 winter season
Ski Days offers savings of up to $1,040 at participating French Alps resorts and Québec-Charlevoix, with bookings open until September 15
Read the News

Family travel: multigenerational holidays reshape resort stays
Bahia Principe is adapting its portfolio to growing demand from families seeking shared experiences across different generations
Read the News

Spain adds 7.4% more international air seats for September
Nearly 13.1 million seats are scheduled on international flights to Spain, with particularly strong growth from Poland, Turkey and Italy
Read the News

McDonald’s Türkiye highlights seven restaurants shaped by their locations
From Istanbul and Antalya to Bodrum and Göcek, seven distinctive restaurants combine familiar branding with architecture and design inspired by their surroundings
Read the News

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sarajevo Tourism Surges on Concerts and Film Festival
More than 100,000 tourists visited Sarajevo in July as major music and cultural events generated strong demand for hotels, restaurants and transport
Read the News

Vietnam: Hyatt Regency Danang Expands MICE Experiences Beyond the Meeting Room
New sports and team-building activities complement event venues for up to 700 guests at the beachfront resort between Da Nang and Hoi An
Read the News

China: Fosun Returns to Profit Growth as Overseas Revenue Reaches 56.5%
First-half profit attributable to shareholders rises 160.3% to RMB1.72 billion as the group sharpens its focus on insurance, pharmaceuticals and global expansion
Read the News

ADIB, Marriott Bonvoy and Visa launch co-branded cards in UAE
New Visa Infinite and Signature cards combine everyday spending with Marriott Bonvoy rewards, hotel status and international travel benefits
Read the News

Helsinki Biennial returns in 2027 with art across the city
Around 45 artists and artist groups will transform Vallisaari Island, Esplanade Park and HAM Helsinki Art Museum from June to September
Read the News

Peru: Lima to host more than 500 airport industry leaders at WAGA 2026
The global ACI gathering will focus on connectivity, infrastructure investment, innovation, sustainability and the future development of airports
Read the News

Fam Fest Latam Returns to Cancún for Its 12th Edition
From 2 to 6 September, leading Latin American travel agents and tour operators will gather at AVA Resort Cancun for training, awards and first-hand insights into the expanding PAM Hotels portfolio
Read the News

USA: Delta opens flight attendant recruitment for 2027
The airline is accepting applications from English-speaking and bilingual candidates for upcoming training classes
Read the News

Emirates could add Lima service via Milan
The airline is reportedly seeking fifth-freedom rights for a Dubai–Milan–Lima route, potentially adding a new direct connection between Italy and Peru
Read the News

Lima Region Strengthens Tourism Governance in Peru
New Regional Tourism Advisory Committee board for 2026–2028 brings together public authorities, private businesses, academia and other tourism stakeholders
Read the News

Expedition Chile Connects Destinations with International Buyers
Fifty-two tour operators from key markets explored five destinations and four routes before meeting 58 Chilean tourism suppliers in Santiago
Read the News

Colombia: inventia adds Río Magdalena cruises to South America programme
Two eight-day itineraries between Cartagena and Barranquilla combine river landscapes with colonial heritage, wildlife and local culture
Read the News

Asia: Four Seasons turns intimate celebrations into tailor-made journeys
From micro-weddings and anniversaries to family reunions and corporate retreats, Four Seasons resorts across Asia are expanding their focus on personalised small-group experiences
