According to EUROCONTROL’s Network Performance Report covering 8–14 June 2026, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport ranked first as Europe’s most punctual airport with an 88% departure punctuality rate. Istanbul Airport followed in second place with an 86% performance, once again demonstrating the operational success of Turkish aviation.
Sabiha Gökçen Earns the Title of Europe’s Most Punctual Airport
The Week 24 (8–14 June 2026) Network Performance Report published by the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) highlighted the operational success of Turkish aviation. According to the report, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport ranked first among Europe’s 20 busiest airports with an 88% departure punctuality rate, while Istanbul Airport secured second place with an 86% performance.
The results demonstrate that Türkiye’s two major airports stand out in operational efficiency and time management within Europe’s busiest air traffic network.
Türkiye Tops the EUROCONTROL Report
According to EUROCONTROL data, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport recorded the highest departure punctuality performance in Europe.
The top rankings are as follows:
- Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport: 88%
- Istanbul Airport: 86%
- Oslo Airport: 83%
- Copenhagen Airport: 80%
- Vienna Airport: 79%
Departure punctuality is one of the most important performance indicators used to measure an airport’s operational capacity, air traffic management, and airfield efficiency.
Sabiha Gökçen Achieved Remarkable Performance Growth Over the Past Three Years
An analysis of Sabiha Gökçen Airport’s performance over the past three years reveals consistent improvement in its operational processes.
Departure Punctuality Increased Every Year
According to the data:
- 2024: Approximately 70%
- 2025: Exceeded 80%
- 2026: Reached 88%
This upward trend demonstrates that the airport has continuously improved its operational efficiency despite increasing passenger and flight traffic.
High Traffic Managed Efficiently
The results presented in the EUROCONTROL report once again demonstrate Sabiha Gökçen Airport’s ability to manage heavy air traffic safely, sustainably, and efficiently.
Thanks to operational planning, air traffic coordination, and close cooperation among stakeholders, the airport has successfully distinguished itself with its departure punctuality performance among Europe’s busiest airports.
HEAŞ General Manager Faruk Kacır: “This Success Is the Result of Long-Term Planning”
Faruk Kacır, General Manager of HEAŞ, the Airport Authority of Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, emphasized that this achievement was not a coincidence.
“We Have Become One of Europe’s Benchmark Airports in Operational Efficiency”
In his statement, Kacır said:
“As the Airport Authority HEAŞ, our goal is to continue contributing to our country’s aviation vision through our commitment to operational excellence while maintaining the highest level of satisfaction for our guests. These figures do not represent a momentary success but are the result of a plan that has been developed step by step.”
Faruk Kacır stated that Sabiha Gökçen Airport is not only an airport that successfully manages high traffic volumes but has also become one of Europe’s benchmark airports in operational efficiency.
Kacır also noted that strong coordination among stakeholders and a long-term planning approach have played a vital role in managing intense air traffic safely and sustainably.
