Turkey’s growing role in the airfreight industry

TRADE has been core to the history of Turkey, as its location between Europe, Asia and the Middle East makes it a perfect location to connect the world. With growing demand for airfreight capacity around the world, Turkey is seeking to position itself as the leading region in the industry. As the industry descends on Istanbul, the World Cargo Symposium will be a fantastic opportunity for Turkish businesses, hubs and carriers to promote their operations.

The country’s role in the airfreight industry is reflected in the growing market share held by Turkish Cargo, the logistics wing of Turkish Airlines. In 2022, the International

Air Transport Association’s (IATA) World Air Transport Statistics data found that Turkish Cargo ranked first among the European air cargo companies and 4th among the global airlines.

In the six years, from 2016 to 2022, Turkish Cargo saw its market share grow from just below 2% to over 5%, according to IATA’s figures. The growth of Turkish Cargo reflects the potential benefit from harnessing the power of connectivity through the region, linking hundreds of destinations swiftly. From Turkey’s largest city Istanbul, the carrier can reach 60 capitals within seven hours.