Istanbul Airport has surged from 47th to 17th place in global cargo rankings over five years, driven by infrastructure expansion, automation, and strategic positioning as a logistics hub, report Mumbai's STAT Trade Times
Istanbul Airport has surged from 47th to 17th place in global cargo rankings over five years, driven by infrastructure expansion, automation, and strategic positioning as a logistics hub, report Mumbai's STAT Trade Times. According to Airports Council International, the airport handled 1.98 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, marking a 23.8 per cent year-on-year rise and a 289.6 per cent increase since 2019. The growth stems from targeted investments and partnerships with global carriers and integrators.
Central to the expansion is Cargo City, a 1.4-million-square metre complex with capacity for up to 5.5 million tonnes. The site includes eight temporary and four free storage zones, with Trendyol and FedEx nearing completion of dedicated facilities.
In 2024, 18 scheduled and 42 charter cargo carriers operated at the airport, alongside belly cargo from 116 passenger airlines. All three global integrators - DHL, FedEx and UPS - now maintain operations at Istanbul.
Turkish Airlines contributed significantly, moving 191,067 tonnes in July 2025 alone. For the first seven months of the year, volumes reached 1.21 million tonnes, with strong growth on Far East and North America routes.
SmartIST, Turkish Cargo's automated facility launched in 2022, supports 2.2 million tonnes annually. It features high-bay warehouses, automated retrieval systems, and specialised zones for pharmaceuticals, perishables and hazardous goods.
Chief operations officer Mehmet Buyukaytan said SmartIST's efficiency, combined with lower labour costs and competitive tariffs, gives Istanbul a strategic edge over older European hubs. The airport's layout also reduces ground time and boosts handling speed.
Buyukaytan added that Istanbul's rise reflects deliberate planning and execution. With advanced infrastructure and cost advantages, the airport is now a key node in global cargo and e-commerce logistics.
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