Turkish airspace revenue hits record $694M in 2024
File photo shows a Turkish Airlines aircraft taxiing on the runway at Istanbul Airport, with the air traffic control tower and Turkish Technic maintenance hangar in the background. (Adobe Stock Photo)
Türkiye’s revenue from airspace usage reached a record-breaking ₺24.809 billion ($694.09 million) in 2024, nearly doubling 2023’s ₺13.141 billion.
Speaking to the Anadolu Agency (AA) on the matter, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu highlighted Türkiye’s strategic location, noting that with a four-hour flight radius, the country provides access to 67 countries and 1.4 billion people. He also emphasized Türkiye’s central position along the north-south corridor extending from the Caucasus and Russia to Africa.
The number of active airports, which stood at 26 in 2002, reached 58 by the end of 2024, Uraloglu noted, adding that they have positioned Türkiye among the countries with the most extensive flight networks globally.
Over 2 million flights recorded in Turkish airspace
Uraloglu remarked that Türkiye has significantly expanded its international air travel agreements, increasing the number of partner countries from 81 in 2002 to 175 in 2024.
According to Uraloglu, the country’s international flight destinations have grown from 60 points in 50 countries in 2002 to 349 points in 132 countries, thanks to the addition of 289 new routes.
Passenger traffic has also seen a dramatic rise, growing from approximately 34.5 million passengers in 2002 to over 230.2 million by the end of 2024. The total number of flights in Turkish airspace, including transit overflights, exceeded 2.29 million.
Uraloglu underscored Türkiye’s international achievements in the aviation sector, noting the country’s adherence to the rules of Eurocontrol, the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation. Under these regulations, fees are collected from airspace users for facilities and services provided.
Reflecting on previous revenues, Uraloglu stated that Türkiye earned ₺13.141 billion from airspace usage in 2023. Looking ahead, he projected airspace revenue to rise to ₺35.719 billion in 2024, ₺37.220 billion in 2025, and ₺43.435 billion in 2027.
“Our country, a global aviation hub, continues to solidify its position as a leader in air traffic and revenue generation,” he concluded.
