Istanbul SAW had a record 2025; over 50 million passengers expected for 2026
Istanbul SAW welcomed 48.4 million two-way passengers in 2025, which was the airport’s best year to date. Traffic grew by nearly 17% year-over-year, which meant it was Europe’s fastest-growing major airport based on ACI Europe data. More than 50 million passengers will pass through its doors in 2026.
SAW’s second runway, which opened in late 2023, played an important role in its substantial rise, along with other infrastructure development. Indeed, its traffic volume jumped by over 11 million passengers since 2023 alone.
The far less mature international market overtook the domestic market in 2022 and is growing much faster. According to Cirium schedule data, new airlines in 2025 included AirAsia X, flyadeal, Kam Air, SalamAir and Transavia France. However, recent airline exits include Batik Air Malaysia (2024), British Airways (2025), FlyBaghdad (2024) and UR Aviation (2025).
Pegasus and AJet have 97% of SAW’s capacity
Cirium data shows SAW will have 7.6 million one-way seats in Q2 2026 (April-June), up by 9% from the same three months last year. Of course, the airport is virtually entirely about the (U)LCCs Pegasus and AJet, which have a 97% share of the seats, flat compared to 2025.
Pegasus remains by far the largest operator. Unusually, its capacity has fallen by 1% year-over-year, which is particularly due to the international market (-2%). It plans a total of 139 scheduled routes: 35 domestic and 104 international. New additions include Aktobe, Bilbao, Bristol, Hatay and Ljubljana.
In contrast to Pegasus, AJet has added 28% more seats, particularly due to the international arena (+37%). This growth has pushed the carrier’s share of SAW’s overall capacity to 36%, up six points in a year. It has 89 routes: 57 international and 32 domestic. New additions include Aleppo, Beirut, Chisinau, Geneva, Iasi, Prague, Rotterdam, Sulaymaniah and Tirana.
Now has flights 153 airports
Cirium data shows that SAW has non-stop flights to 153 airports in Q2, of which 39 are within Türkiye. With 397,000 one-way seats, Antalya, 460 kilometres away, remains the leading market. In June, 149-weekly departures will be available, provided by Pegasus (79) and AJet (70).
The 114 international destinations are in 52 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Germany, the UK and Saudi Arabia are the top three countries by seats. Excluding Northern Cyprus, SAW’s leading international market is London STN, with 161,000 one-way seats. Some 56-weekly outbound flights will exist in June, provided by Pegasus (35) and AJet (21).
