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In 2024, Turkish Airlines maintained its trajectory as one of the world’s most globally connected carriers, despite encountering a mixed performance across some key markets.
From its powerful hub at Istanbul Airport (IST), where it controls 80% of all capacity, Turkish Airlines continues to dominate not only Turkey’s skies but also global aviation corridors. The airline now serves more countries than any other carrier in the world, holding its rank as the 12th largest airline by total capacity, and climbing to 9th globally in ASKs—a sign of its long-haul strategy yielding results.
But the year wasn’t without turbulence.
Modest Declines in Capacity and Frequency
Turkish Airlines saw a slight 0.2% year-on-year decline in total seat capacity, operating 398,681 flights, which also marked a 1.0% drop in frequency. However, Available Seat Kilometers (ASKs) increased by 7.2%, indicating more long-haul operations compared to short-haul routes.
Its domestic capacity dropped by 4%, now representing 25% of total operations, while international flights saw a 1% increase, making up the remaining 75%—highlighting the airline’s global pivot.
Regional Strategy: Expansions & Retractions
Turkish Airlines expanded capacity across nearly all regional markets, with notable increases in services to the United States and the United Kingdom. These markets benefited from wide-body aircraft deployment and increased frequency, strengthening Turkish Airlines’ transcontinental presence.
In contrast, Germany—its second-largest market—saw a 13% year-on-year capacity drop, reflecting broader demand weakness in the region. This wasn’t isolated to Turkish Airlines, as many carriers struggled to sustain growth in the German market in 2024.
Regionally, Europe remains Turkish Airlines’ largest capacity share, followed by Asia, Africa, and North America.
Top Markets and Routes
The top five countries for Turkish Airlines by capacity in 2024 were Turkiye, Germany, the UK, the USA, and France.
The airline’s most trafficked international route was Istanbul–London Heathrow (IST–LHR), served by multiple wide-body flights daily. Other top international routes included Vnukovo (VKO), Paris (CDG), Amsterdam (AMS), and Dubai (DXB). Domestically, the busiest corridors were Bodrum (BJV), Antalya (AYT), Izmir (ADB), Ankara (ESB), and Gaziantep (GZT).
Fleet and Average Airfares
Turkish Airlines operates one of Europe’s youngest and most diverse fleets, with a total of 431 aircraft as of 2024. The majority—59%—consists of narrow-body jets, supporting dense short- and medium-haul routes. Wide-body aircraft make up 24% of the fleet, primarily used on long-haul services, while cargo aircraft account for 6%, reflecting the airline’s growing logistics arm. The remaining 11% are regional jets, providing vital connectivity to underserved markets.
In terms of pricing, Turkish Airlines remained highly competitive in 2024. The average domestic fare was around $68, representing a slight decrease of 3.2% year-on-year. International fares averaged $288, showing a 4.9% increase compared to 2023—indicating strong demand and premium service offerings on global routes.
Data source: OAG and Turkish Airlines reports, 2024.