Istanbul Airport Achieves All-Time High with 1,730 Daily Flights
Istanbul, Turkey, June 5, 2026 – Istanbul Airport has set a new record, handling 1,730 daily flights on May 31st, the highest number since its inauguration. This significant achievement was announced by Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, during his inspection of the Gümüşhane-Bayburt Airport construction site.
Minister Uraloğlu highlighted Turkey’s robust growth in the aviation sector, stating, “In the last 10-day period, we exceeded the average flight traffic of Turkey from the 2000s by twofold, with an average of 5,200 flights per day. On May 31st, our Istanbul Airport reached its busiest air traffic ever with 1,730 flights, setting a new record.”
Turkey’s Ambitious Aviation Vision
Uraloğlu underscored the pivotal role of airports in modern society, describing them as the “lifeline of the contemporary world, the pulse of economies, and the key to the future.” He emphasized Turkey’s advantageous geographical position, which positions it as a leading transit hub in global aviation.
Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey has implemented visionary policies that have transformed the country into a prominent player in the global aviation industry. The minister noted that Turkey currently operates 58 active airports and has been constructing an average of 1.4 airports annually.
Expansion and Record-Breaking Performance
With the ongoing construction of Yozgat and Bayburt-Gümüşhane Airports, the total number of airports in Turkey is set to reach 60. Furthermore, Turkey now offers international flights to 356 destinations across 133 countries.
During the recent Eid al-Adha period, specifically from May 22nd to May 31st, Turkish airports managed 51,962 aircraft movements and served 7.617 million passengers. “This 10-day period saw an average of 5,200 daily flights, more than double the average flight traffic in Turkey during the 2000s,” Uraloğlu reiterated.
The minister also highlighted other infrastructure successes, including over 189,000 vehicles crossing the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge on the same days, and similar record-breaking traffic on the Northern Marmara, Ankara-Niğde, and the newly opened Aydın-Denizli motorways. These achievements, he stated, reflect the “accurate vision, determination, and massive investments” of the AK Party government in transportation.
Bayburt-Gümüşhane Airport Nearing Completion
Uraloğlu announced that the Bayburt-Gümüşhane Airport, Turkey’s fifth regional airport, is nearing completion and is expected to be operational this year. Strategically located 59 kilometers from Gümüşhane and 42 kilometers from Bayburt, the airport is designed to serve 2 million passengers annually. “Our Bayburt-Gümüşhane Airport is becoming the newest and strongest link in this chain, a new milestone in the development of our region,” he remarked.
The minister also mentioned ongoing infrastructure projects, such as the Kop Tunnel, and reaffirmed the AK Party’s commitment to continue its service and development policies under President Erdoğan’s leadership. He confirmed that tenders for hot asphalt connection roads in Bayburt and Gümüşhane have been completed, dispelling any speculation about the abandonment of the Köse road project.
Minister Uraloğlu concluded by seeking support for Kemalettin Demirkıran, the People’s Alliance candidate for the Tekke Municipality elections.
Source: TRT Haber
