Ranked among Europe’s fastest-growing major airports, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (ISG) International Airport aims to serve over 47 million passengers next year.
During the January–August period of 2025, Sabiha Gökçen increased its passenger numbers by 13.3% compared to the same period last year, reaching 31.2 million. In August, the airport achieved its highest-ever monthly traffic with 4.7 million passengers. A daily passenger record was set on 10 August with over 159,000 travellers, and a daily flight record on 31 August with 855 flights.
“Budget-friendly airlines are driving growth”
Kerem Maybek, ISG’s Director of Strategic Planning and Treasury Management, attributed this success to “the right strategies and strong partnerships.”
“Being the main hub for budget-friendly airlines such as Pegasus and AJet gives us a major advantage. The growth strategies and new destination launches of these airlines positively reflect on our passenger traffic.”
Maybek also noted that post-pandemic travel demand, coupled with passengers’ preference for short-haul and affordable destinations, is another factor supporting growth.
Historic record in August
Maybek stated that they served 2.1 million domestic and 2.6 million international passengers in August, adding, “This figure marks the highest monthly passenger total in Sabiha Gökçen’s history.” Thanks to its compact terminal structure, digitalisation-based service model, and well-planned operational processes, uninterrupted service is ensured even during peak periods.
“We are Europe’s 9th largest airport”
Handling 41.5 million passengers in 2024, Sabiha Gökçen reached 35.6 million passengers in the first nine months of 2025. Maybek stated that the airport is the 9th largest in Europe and the fastest-growing hub among those handling over 40 million passengers.
Announcing their 2026 target as 47 million passengers, Maybek said:
“With digitalisation, contactless travel solutions, and smart terminal projects, we will make the guest experience even more comfortable.”
“We are no longer just a secondary airport”
Commenting on the airport’s future vision, Maybek said: “Sabiha Gökçen is no longer just a ‘secondary airport’; it is one of the smart air transport hubs of the future. With our dynamic growth momentum, we will continue to demonstrate that regional airports can compete globally.”
