Turkish Airlines has announced a strong start to 2026, airlifting 7.6 million passengers in January and recording growth across its traffic, capacity and cargo operations.
In its January traffic performance report, the airline said the figures reflect sustained demand across its domestic and international networks.
“Our January performance demonstrates the continued confidence of passengers in our network and service quality. We remain focused on expanding capacity in line with growing global travel demand,” the airline stated.
Passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), rose by 10 per cent year-on-year to 23.7 billion in January 2026, up from 21.5 billion in the same period of 2025. The airline attributed the increase to deliberate investments in fleet expansion and route development.
“The growth underscores our ongoing investment in fleet expansion and network development to better connect the world through Istanbul,” the statement added.
The carrier reported an overall load factor of 84 per cent for the month, signalling strong seat occupancy levels. International routes recorded a load factor of 83.7 per cent, while domestic services posted a higher 87.5 per cent.
According to the airline, the solid performance highlights robust demand in both its home market and global operations.
A key highlight of the January results was the rise in international-to-international transit traffic, a core element of the airline’s hub strategy centred on Istanbul. Transit passenger numbers increased by 10.8 per cent, from 2.8 million in January 2025 to 3.1 million in January 2026.
“This growth further reinforces Istanbul’s role as a key global hub and validates our strategy of connecting continents through efficient transfer operations,” the airline said.
Beyond passenger services, Turkish Airlines also recorded gains in cargo and mail operations. Cargo volumes grew by 18.8 per cent year-on-year to 178.3 thousand tonnes in January 2026.
Describing cargo as a strategic growth area, the airline said the performance was driven by rising demand for air freight and e-commerce logistics, strengthening its role in supporting global trade flows and supply chain resilience.
As of the end of January 2026, the airline’s fleet had expanded to 522 aircraft.
“Our expanding fleet enables us to support network growth, improve operational flexibility and deliver a better travel experience for our customers,” the statement added.
