Turkish Airlines, Türkiye’s national carrier, enjoyed a record year for passengers after flying 83.4 million people in 2023. Domestic passenger capacity grew by 23.5% compared to 2022, surpassing 30 million, while the number for international routes jumped by 16%. Notably, the number of passengers in European countries with significant Turkish populations climbed by more than 20% year-on-year.
Meanwhile, customers flying internationally grew 14% to 53 million – bucking the trend for an aviation industry hit in recent years by the Coronavirus pandemic, geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic uncertainties. Global international airline capacity for 2023 was 12% behind the 2019 figure, according to the International Air Transport Association. However, Turkish Airlines increased its international capacity by 27% between 2019 and 2023.
Turkish Airlines – which flies to more countries than any other carrier – attributes the rise in customer numbers to increased capacity, its agile, extensive flight network, and a highly qualified workforce. Investing in its aviation infrastructure to establish Istanbul Airport as the leading European hub in terms of daily flight numbers has also contributed.
Turkish Airlines has invested heavily in recent years during a turbulent period for the aviation industry – a bold strategy when facing the pandemic, geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic challenges, but one that has paid off. The airline’s commitment to increasing capacity, providing a seamless, premium experience both on the ground and in the air and developing the infrastructure at Istanbul Airport has fuelled its recent growth.
Increased passenger numbers also demonstrate the ever-increasing demand for Turkish Airlines’ exceptional service, with customers choosing a leading European carrier that flies to more destinations globally than any other operator.
Building on its recent growth, Turkish Airlines has ambitious plans to expand the fleet to 800 aircraft by 2033. The carrier increased the fleet by 12% in 2023 to 440 – a figure that has since grown to 450 – despite global challenges with aircraft procurement and production.
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