TAV Airports increased its passenger numbers by 7 percent to reach 19 million in the first quarter of 2026. Generating 361 million euros in revenue, the company continued its growth with investments in Ankara, Antalya, and Almaty.
Despite global uncertainties, TAV outperformed the global average in passenger growth
TAV Airports announced its financial and operational results for the first quarter of 2026. The company served a total of 19 million passengers, including 10.4 million on international routes and 8.6 million on domestic routes, across the airports it operates. While this performance indicates a 7 percent increase compared to the same period last year, the company’s consolidated revenue amounted to 361 million euros.
Despite increasing volatility in the global economy, geopolitical risks, and cost pressures in the aviation sector, this performance once again demonstrated the resilience of TAV’s diversified portfolio structure against crises.
Serkan Kaptan: “Our diversified business model balanced uncertainties”
TAV Airports CEO Serkan Kaptan stated that operational performance remained strong despite global economic and political uncertainties while evaluating the first quarter of the year.
Kaptan’s message points not only to passenger growth but also to TAV’s ability to effectively manage risk distribution thanks to its operating model spread across different geographies. The company’s passenger growth rate exceeding global averages has further strengthened the strategic position of TAV’s portfolio, particularly in regional air transportation.
New Routes at Ankara Esenboğa Accelerated Growth
Ankara Esenboğa Airport stood out as one of the key hubs in TAV’s first-quarter performance. International passenger traffic increased by 23 percent.
New international connections and the impact of low-cost carriers played a decisive role in this increase. The fact that 2026 will be the first year when the operational strengthening in Ankara is fully reflected in financial results indicates that Esenboğa may assume a more strategic role within TAV’s portfolio.
New Terminal Impact in Antalya: Capacity Advantage Ahead of the Summer Season
On the Antalya Airport side, the impact of the new terminal and supporting facilities commissioned in April 2025 has become more visible. The increased capacity not only reduced operational congestion but also provided a stronger foundation for passenger experience ahead of the summer season.
The Antalya investment is not only a revenue-generating project for TAV but also demonstrates its corporate capability in partnership management and the integration of service companies in large-scale infrastructure projects. The year 2026 stands out as the first year in which the full economic impact of this investment will be seen.
Growth Continues in Almaty, but Fuel Policy Created Pressure
Almaty International Airport continues to hold critical importance in TAV’s international growth strategy. While strong growth in international traffic continues, the second phase of the investment programme is progressing as planned.
However, changes in Kazakhstan’s jet fuel supply policy created pressure on volume and profitability in the first quarter. The company management interprets this process not as a short-term contraction but as an investment in medium-term competitiveness. With a more efficient cost structure and competitive pricing, it is aimed to strengthen Almaty’s role as a regional transfer hub.
TAV’s 2026 Strategy: Geographic Diversification and Long-Term Resilience
First-quarter data show that TAV has not only grown in passenger numbers but has also been able to balance fluctuations in different markets thanks to its portfolio diversity.
While Türkiye-based growth areas such as Ankara and Antalya generate strong revenues in the short term, investments in strategic external markets such as Almaty support TAV’s long-term global positioning.
TAV Leverages Scale and Strategy Advantage in a Period of Uncertainty
The first quarter of 2026 demonstrated that not only traffic growth but also proper portfolio management is decisive in the aviation sector. Despite geopolitical pressures and economic volatility, TAV Airports maintained its operational growth while continuing to carry its infrastructure investments into the future.
