Istanbul airports passenger numbers exceed total population of 78 Turkish provinces

Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that passenger traffic at Istanbul's airports (Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen) has surpassed the combined population of all 78 provinces in Turkey. The data, released by the State Airports Authority (DHMİ) for 2026, highlights the rapid growth of air travel in the country. Istanbul's airports handled over 100 million passengers in the past year, reflecting the city's role as a major global aviation hub. The minister emphasized the economic benefits, including increased tourism and trade. This milestone underscores Turkey's expanding aviation infrastructure and its recovery post-pandemic.

Global Impact

Economically, the milestone reinforces Turkey's position as a key transit hub between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, attracting more airline routes and tourism spending. Politically, it strengthens the government's narrative of successful infrastructure investment.