Turkish Airlines Soars: 83.4 Million Passengers in 2024
Turkish Airlines reported a remarkable milestone in 2024 by carrying 83.4 million passengers, marking a 2.1% year-on-year increase. The national carrier of Turkey credited this growth largely to its aggressive international expansion push throughout the year. The 83.4 million total includes 31.7 million international passengers, an impressive 6.4% increase from 2023, as the airline expanded its global network to new destinations and enhanced connectivity.
Despite the overall rise in passenger numbers, Turkish Airlines experienced a slight dip in its network load factor, which fell by 0.4 percentage points to 82.2%. International flights posted a load factor of 81.8%, while domestic operations performed slightly better, reaching 85.8%. The carrier also significantly boosted its cargo and mail operations, transporting two million tons of freight—an increase of 20.6% compared to the previous year—underscoring the airline’s diversified revenue strategy.
December 2024 was a standout month for Turkish Airlines, with the carrier recording the highest monthly performance of the year by transporting 6.4 million passengers. This figure represents a 5.3% increase over December 2023, further reflecting the momentum in the carrier’s recovery and expansion initiatives.
As part of its operational excellence, Turkish Airlines continued to maintain an impressive fleet. By the end of 2024, the airline operated a fleet of 492 aircraft, predominantly composed of modern Airbus and Boeing models. To support its long-term growth and further expand its global reach, the airline has an additional 342 aircraft on order. This strategic fleet investment ensures the carrier remains competitive and can handle increasing passenger demand while delivering high levels of service.
In a memorable achievement, Turkish Airlines was officially recognized by Guinness World Records in December 2024 as the carrier flying to the most countries around the globe. Although the airline had unofficially held this record since 2012, the official recognition came during a ceremony at Santiago de Chile (SCL) on December 22, 2024, marking a historic moment for the Istanbul-based carrier and further cementing its reputation as a global aviation leader.
Throughout 2024, Turkish Airlines made significant strides in expanding its route network. The carrier launched new flights to Melbourne and Sydney in Australia, reintroduced service to Afghanistan after a three-year hiatus, and began services to Denver and Dallas-Fort Worth in the United States. Notably, with the launch of flights to Melbourne in September 2024, the city became the airline’s 346th destination, and Australia its 130th country served. Turkish Airlines remains the only European carrier operating flights to and from both Melbourne and Sydney, which highlights its strong foothold in the competitive Australian market.
On the fleet front, Turkish Airlines signed leases for ten Boeing 737-8s, 21 Airbus A321neos, and placed an order for four new Boeing 777Fs directly from the manufacturer. These acquisitions not only bolster the airline’s fleet capacity but also reinforce its commitment to operating a modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly fleet.
As Turkish Airlines continues to advance its expansion strategy and celebrate record passenger numbers in 2024, the carrier is well positioned for future growth. With strategic investments in fleet modernization, route expansion, and customer service, Turkish Airlines is set to remain a dominant force in global aviation for years to come.
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