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Türkiye’s air travel sector saw robust growth in the first five months of 2025, with over 85.4 million passengers flying through the country’s airports, according to data shared by Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu. The total includes both domestic and international flights, as well as direct transit passengers.
The data, released by the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMI), showed that aircraft movements reached 215,808 in May alone, factoring in both commercial flights and overflights. Domestic flights accounted for 85,368 takeoffs and landings, while international flights totaled 82,587.
In May, passenger traffic at Türkiye’s airports reached 21.17 million, including 8.48 million on domestic routes and 12.68 million on international ones. This figure reflects a 3.7% increase from the same month last year when direct transit passengers are included.
Istanbul Airport—one of Türkiye’s flagship infrastructure projects—recorded the highest traffic volume. In May, the airport handled 46,556 flights, including 10,596 domestic and 35,960 international operations. The passenger count for the month reached nearly 7 million, split between 1.5 million on domestic routes and 5.46 million on international ones.
From January to May, total aircraft movements at Istanbul Airport reached 212,978. Passenger volume over the same period stood at 31.9 million, including 6.39 million domestic and 25.51 million international travelers.
At Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport, May figures showed a total of 3.95 million passengers, made up of 1.77 million domestic and 2.17 million international travelers. Aircraft movements during the month reached 22,764.
For the five-month period, the airport recorded 105,278 flights. Passenger traffic over this time totaled 18.06 million, split between 7.76 million domestic and 10.3 million international passengers.
Airports serving Türkiye’s leading tourism destinations also posted high figures. Between January and May, total passenger traffic across these hubs reached 16.33 million—6.69 million on domestic routes and 9.65 million internationally.
During this period, Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport handled 4.36 million passengers, while Antalya Airport served 9.57 million. Mugla Dalaman Airport accommodated 1.22 million travelers, Milas-Bodrum Airport saw 918,020, and Gazipasa Alanya Airport welcomed 274,781 passengers.
The total number of aircraft movements at these tourism-focused airports reached 119,336 over the five-month span.
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