Turkish Airlines passenger traffic in Q2 2024 up 7.7% and cargo volumes rise by 32% in H1

Published: Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Istanbul, Turkiye: Despite ongoing global geopolitical tensions, bottlenecks in aircraft production, and engine problems, Turkish Airlines continued its growth uninterruptedly thanks to its agility and extensive flight network, carrying a total of 22.1 million passenger in the second quarter of the year, up by 7.7% compared to the same period in 2023.

According to data published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), while global passenger capacity in the second quarter of 2024 has just reached pre-pandemic levels, Turkish Airlines exceeded its 2019 passenger capacity by 38% as one of the leading airlines in the industry amid intensifying competition.

Through its operations at Europe’s largest air cargo facility, Smartist, Turkish Cargo captured a significant share of the accelerated e-commerce growth in the second quarter of this year. Additionally, it provided a major alternative for shippers who did not want to be affected by the disruptions in the Suez Canal. As a result, Turkish Cargo increased the amount of cargo carried in the first six months of 2024 by 32% annually and became the third-largest air cargo carrier in the world, as reported by IATA figures.

In the April-June 2024 period, Turkish Airlines’ total revenues rose by 10% year-on-year to USD 5.7 billion. Accounting for 81% of the total, passenger revenues increased to USD 4.6 billion driven by contribution from the Far East region and cargo revenues recorded 48% higher annually, reaching USD 885 million. Due to the competitive pressure on passenger unit revenues and the adverse effects of global inflation on costs, profit from main operations decreased by 26% to USD 591 million.

Aiming to expand its fleet to 800 aircraft by 2033 as part of its 100th Anniversary Strategy, Turkish Airlines increased its number of aircraft by 9% in the first half of the year to 458 despite bottlenecks in the aircraft production.

Employing approximately 92 thousand people along with its subsidiaries, Turkish Airlines proudly represents its nation in the global air transportation industry with its unique flight network, modern fleet, superior service, and successful performance. In the coming years, our contribution to sustainable growth in the aviation sector will continue in line with the national development objectives and our 2033 strategy.