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According to the 2024 Annual Traffic Report released by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, Istanbul Airport, Turkey’s largest aviation hub, became the busiest air cargo center in Europe last year.
Istanbul Airport handled 1.97 million tons of cargo last year, an increase of nearly 40% from 2023.
The airport said on its official X social media account: “IGA Istanbul Airport is the busiest air cargo hub in Europe.”
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abukadir Ulaloglu mentioned that air cargo traffic in Europe will grow by 13.2% in 2024 and further stated, “Compared to the previous year, our airport cargo volume increased by 39.6%. If this momentum continues, Istanbul Airport will become one of the most important centers in Europe and the world.”
Surge in Air Cargo Demand
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects a 5.8% year-on-year increase in air cargo volumes for 2025, reaching 72.5 million metric tons. This growth is largely attributed to booming e-commerce and geopolitical factors affecting traditional sea routes, such as the Red Sea crisis. Despite the rise in demand, average yields are expected to adjust downwards by 0.7%, though they will remain above pre-pandemic levels.
Expansion of European Air Cargo Routes
In response to escalating demand, airlines are actively expanding their European cargo routes. In the first two months of 2025, 35 new air cargo routes were established between China and other markets, with Europe accounting for 19 of these additions. These routes mainly transport cross-border e-commerce goods, high-end accessories, precision instruments, electronic products, light luxury clothing, red wine, and other products. This expansion underscores Europe’s pivotal role in global trade and the strategic importance of enhancing connectivity between European and Asian markets.
Freighter operators have also introduced new services connecting European cities to markets in Asia and the Middle East. These additions provide shippers with more options for moving freight along these vital trade lanes, reflecting the industry’s commitment to meeting growing demand and improving logistical efficiency.
European Air Traffic Recovery
In 2024, European air traffic will reach 10.7 million flights, up 5% from the previous year but reaching 96% of 2019 levels.
The recovery varies from region to region. Southern European countries have already surpassed pre-COVID-19 levels, driven by strong tourism demand and shifting route patterns.
On the other hand, Northern and Northeastern European countries are struggling to recover due to airspace closures, flight bans, and reduced demand.
2025 Outlook
For the 2025 outlook, Eurocontrol predicts a full recovery of European air traffic, with the number of flights expected to reach or even exceed 2019 levels in some months.
Southern Mediterranean tourist destinations are expected to continue to remain popular, driven by a strong tourism boom in Europe and northern countries.
At the same time, Uraloğlu expressed the hope that Istanbul Airport will maintain its leading position in the coming years. He pointed out that Istanbul Airport is one of Turkey’s large-scale projects and has served more than 338 million passengers since its opening, including more than 255 million passengers on international routes.
The minister also stressed that Turkey ranks sixth among the countries with the most traffic in Europe, with an average of 3,140 flights per day.
“Our success in terms of flight density also extends to flight delays. When we examine delays in Eurocontrol airspace, Turkish airspace becomes one of the most efficient in Europe, with an average delay of less than 0.5 minutes per flight,” he noted.
In fact, Eurocontrol said that by 2025, 22 out of 30 airports will have improved their on-time departure rates compared to 2024. The report lists some of the airports that have made significant improvements, such as Copenhagen Airport, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Istanbul Airport, and Dublin Airport.
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