Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (ISG) witnessed record-breaking passenger and flight traffic during the 2025 Eid al-Adha holiday. Between 5–9 June, a total of 701,178 passengers enjoyed a safe and comfortable travel experience, with 3,895 flights successfully operated during the same period.
All-time record set on 5 June
The first day of the holiday, 5 June 2025, marked a historic milestone for ISG. On that day, 796 passenger aircraft (820 total flights) took off and landed at the airport, with a record-breaking 144,590 passengers — the highest single-day passenger and flight volume in ISG’s history.
High demand on domestic and international routes
The holiday period saw a noticeable increase in travel demand, especially for visits to hometowns and popular holiday destinations. During this time:
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Domestic passengers: 316,477
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International passengers: 384,701
Sabiha Gökçen Airport successfully managed the surge in both domestic and international travel traffic.
Full-capacity preparations for holiday rush
To handle the increased holiday traffic, ISG terminal operator and Airport Authority HEAŞ implemented extensive, coordinated measures:
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Staff reinforcement: Additional personnel were assigned in operations, security, and cleaning.
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Expanded e-passport capacity: 34 e-passport counters were made operational—15 in departures and 19 in arrivals.
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X-ray improvements: 110 X-ray checkpoints throughout the terminal were reorganised to speed up entry flow.
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Digital support: AI-powered digital assistant SAVVy provided passengers with real-time information and support.
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Enhanced comfort: The terminal’s climate control system was upgraded, while free drinking water stations and unlimited Wi-Fi were offered.
Turkey’s second-busiest airport shows its strength
As Turkey’s second-largest airport in terms of passenger traffic, Sabiha Gökçen once again proved its operational excellence during the holiday peak, earning the continued trust of both domestic and international travellers.
