Turkey's busiest airports break records with highest daily passenger volumes ever
In the summer of 2025, Turkey's two major airports, Istanbul and Antalya, saw a surge in passenger traffic, breaking daily records and indicating a growing trend in air travel demand and capacity.
On July 25, 2025, Istanbul Airport recorded a staggering 271,836 passenger movements, surpassing London's Heathrow Airport and setting a new record for the highest daily passenger count in Europe [1][3]. This record was broken just two days later, on July 27, 2025, when Istanbul Airport handled an impressive 272,132 passengers in a single day [3], making it the European airport with the highest daily passenger number in history.
Istanbul Airport, the first European airport and the second in the world, after the U.S., to have three operational runways, began simultaneous triple runway operations this April [4]. This expansion has undoubtedly contributed to the airport's ability to handle such high volumes of passengers. In 2024, Istanbul Airport handled approximately 80 million passengers, making it Europe's largest and second-busiest airport [6].
Antalya Airport, a popular tourist resort, also experienced a significant increase in passenger numbers, with a notable peak on July 26, 2025, when it recorded its highest daily passenger count of 225,118 [2]. The airport expanded earlier this year with the opening of new terminal facilities, which are expected to further lift the number of passengers served at this air hub.
On July 27, 2022, Antalya Airport hosted a record-breaking 223,217 passengers, surpassing its previous record set on Aug. 3, 2021 [5]. This year, on the same date, Antalya Airport recorded a total of 1,074 international flights and 143 domestic flights [5].
According to the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe's 2024 Annual Traffic Report, Istanbul Airport became Europe's busiest air cargo hub last year [7]. This record-breaking growth in both passenger and cargo traffic solidifies Istanbul Airport's position as a major European air hub.
In conclusion, the summer of 2025 saw a significant increase in air travel demand and capacity at both Istanbul and Antalya Airports. With continued expansion and growth, these airports are poised to remain key players in the European aviation industry.
[1] Source for the record-breaking daily passenger count on July 25, 2025, at Istanbul Airport. [2] Source for the record-breaking daily passenger count on July 26, 2025, at Antalya Airport. [3] Source for the record-breaking daily passenger counts on July 25 and July 27, 2025, at Istanbul Airport. [4] Source for the commencement of triple runway operations at Istanbul Airport. [5] Source for the passenger numbers at Antalya Airport on July 26 and July 27, 2022, and July 26, 2025. [6] Source for the number of passengers handled by Istanbul Airport in 2024. [7] Source for Istanbul Airport becoming Europe's busiest air cargo hub in 2024.
- The surge in passenger traffic at Istanbul Airport in the summer of 2025 broke European records, with the airport handling 272,132 passengers in a single day, making it the European airport with the highest daily passenger number in history.
- The growing trend in air travel demand and capacity was also evident at Antalya Airport, as it recorded its highest daily passenger count of 225,118 on July 26, 2025.
- The expansion of Istanbul Airport, including the commencement of simultaneous triple runway operations in April 2025, and the new terminal facilities opened at Antalya Airport earlier this year, are contributing to their growth as key players in the European aviation industry.
- In addition to passenger traffic, Istanbul Airport also became Europe's busiest air cargo hub in 2024, according to the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe's 2024 Annual Traffic Report, further solidifying its position as a major European air hub, influencing both the finance and transportation sectors, as well as the lifestyle and travel industries.
