Number of airline passengers in Turkey exceeded 167 million in the first 8 months of 2026
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure shared data on the total number of air travel passengers and major airports for the first eight-month period of 2026.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that the number of passengers traveling by air across Turkey exceeded 167.5 million in the first eight months of 2026, with Istanbul and Antalya airports taking the largest share.
Airline Data Announced
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu shared the airline aircraft, passenger, and freight statistics for August 2026 from the General Directorate of State Airports Authority with the public. The statement included detailed figures regarding travel mobility in the first eight months of the year.
Passenger Count Exceeds 167 Million
According to the data shared by Minister Uraloğlu, a total of 167 million 552 thousand 966 passengers preferred air travel in the first eight months of 2026. This figure highlights the density and capacity utilization rates of the transportation network across the country.
Istanbul Airport Traffic
During this period, Istanbul Airport served 56 million 648 thousand 965 passengers, while Sabiha Gökçen Airport hosted 33 million 156 thousand 610 passenger traffic. The two major airports in Istanbul reached a massive passenger capacity in total.
Density in Tourism Centers
Airports located in Turkey's prominent tourism centers hosted a total of 41 million 611 thousand 938 passengers in eight months. Among these facilities, Antalya Airport alone hosted 25 million 103 thousand 581 passengers.
Comparison with 2002 Figures
Minister Uraloğlu stated that Istanbul and Antalya airports, which have the highest passenger capacity, hosted 81.7 million passengers in just eight months, and this number exceeded twice the total number of passengers served throughout Turkey in 2002.