A total of 80.9 million passengers passed through the city's airports, surpassing the previous year's figures by 6.2 million.

Istanbul Airport, the primary hub, welcomed 53.4 million passengers, including both domestic and international travelers. While domestic passenger numbers saw a slight decline, international arrivals experienced a notable increase.

Sabiha Gökçen Airport also recorded a significant rise in passenger traffic, with a total increase of 3.4 million passengers compared to the same period last year. Both domestic and international routes witnessed growth in passenger numbers.

In addition to the increase in passenger traffic, Istanbul's airports also experienced a surge in flight activity and cargo volume. The number of flights operated increased by 5%, and cargo transport rose by 30% at Istanbul Airport and 18% at Sabiha Gökçen Airport.

However, the number of transit passengers on connecting flights declined by 45.6%.

Overall, these figures demonstrate the growing popularity of Istanbul as a major travel hub, with its airports experiencing significant growth in passenger traffic and cargo volume. (ILKHA)