On 5 November 2025, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) presented its study on the economic contribution of aviation to the Republic of Turkey during the World Financial Symposium and World Passenger Symposium held in Istanbul and hosted by Turkish Airlines.
The analysis shows that in 2023 the aviation sector generated approximately USD 82.4 billion in economic activity – equivalent to 7.4 % of the country’s GDP – supported around 2 million jobs (including indirect employment), of which about 53 000 are directly employed by airlines, and moved roughly 7 million tonnes of cargo.
Nick Careen, IATA Senior Vice‑President for Operations, Safety and Security, highlighted Turkey’s rapid growth in passenger departures, positioning it among the world’s top seven markets, and stressed the importance of continued investment in cost‑competitive infrastructure, workforce development and Sustainable Aviation Fuel to sustain this momentum.
The association identified three priority areas for Turkey:
- Infrastructure: ensure that ongoing airport expansion and digitalisation projects remain cost‑effective.
- Capacity‑building: develop a skilled aviation workforce to meet the country’s ambitious growth plans.
- Sustainability: exploit the potential of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and local biomass resources to achieve decarbonisation targets.
Source: www.iata.org
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