Turkish Airlines ‘bucks trend’ with post-pandemic international capacity growth

Turkish Airlines claims to have bucked a trend in post-pandemic international passenger growth by maintaining capacity expansion.

Turkey’s national carrier flew a record 83.4 million people in 2023, with international numbers up by 14% to 53 million and domestic numbers up 23.5% to more than 30 million.

Turkish Airlines increased its international capacity by 27% between 2019 and 2023 at a time when Iata reported that global international airline capacity for last year was 12% behind the 2019 figure.

The carrier attributed the rise in passenger levels to increased capacity, “an agile, extensive flight network and a highly qualified workforce”.

Investing in its aviation infrastructure to establish Istanbul airport as a leading European hub also contributed.

The Star Alliance member airline plans to almost double its fleet to 800 aircraft by 2033 following a 12% increase to a 440-strong fleet last year.

A statement said: “Turkish Airlines has invested heavily in recent years during a turbulent period for the aviation industry – a bold strategy when facing the pandemic, geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic challenges, but one that has paid off.

“The airline’s commitment to increasing capacity, providing a seamless, premium experience both on the ground and in the air and developing the infrastructure at Istanbul airport has fuelled its recent growth.”