Turkish Airlines has announced a significant investment plan aimed at enhancing Türkiye's aviation infrastructure in line with its 2033 growth strategy. The initiative includes the construction of eight new facilities at a total investment exceeding TRY 100 billion, primarily focused around Istanbul Airport, the carrier's main hub.
At a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu and Turkish Airlines leadership, officials highlighted the goal of surpassing new aviation thresholds by 2026 through these developments. The projects encompass expanding cargo capacity, modernizing technical maintenance, and establishing new operational centers like the SmartIST cargo terminal, which is expected to increase its handling capacity from 2.2 to 4.5 million tons.
Chairman Prof. Bolat emphasized that these investments are critical for Turkey to position itself as a leading aviation hub globally. The expansion is projected to generate 26,000 new jobs in 2026, rising to 36,000 as all phases are completed, significantly contributing to the country's economy, which currently benefits from Turkish Airlines' USD 65 billion contribution, expected to grow to USD 144 billion by 2033.
