Ankara: The number of aircraft operated by Trkiye’s airlines for passenger and cargo services has seen a considerable rise from 558 to 800 over the past five years, according to data from the country’s Civil Aviation General Directorate.

According to Anadolu Agency, Trkiye has progressed in air transportation with the construction of airports nationwide. The inauguration of IGA Istanbul Airport, one of the world’s largest, along with expansion projects at Antalya and Ankara Esenboga airports, has helped position the country as a regional logistics hub.

Turkish airports now serve 356 destinations across 133 countries. Passenger traffic exceeded 247 million in 2025, marking a record high.

Fleet growth has paralleled the expansion in air travel. The total number of passenger and cargo aircraft increased by 43% by the end of 2025 compared with 2021, while total seating capacity grew from 104,464 to 157,785 over the same period.

Passenger aircraft make up the majority of airline fleets, with around 760 of the 800 registered aircraft used for passenger transport and about 40 dedicated to cargo operations.

Trkiye’s flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, operates the largest share of the total fleet, with 473 aircraft at the end of 2025. It is followed by Pegasus Airlines with 128 aircraft and SunExpress with approximately 81 aircraft, the data indicated.