Jankovec and Türkiye’s Minister Uraloğlu discuss key issues for Türkiye’s rapidly growing aviation sector

ACI EUROPE has engaged with the Turkish government to explore sustainable solutions for expanding air connectivity, a vital component of Türkiye’s economic growth and global influence.

During a meeting with Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec lauded Türkiye’s exceptional aviation growth. Since 2019, Türkiye’s air connectivity has surged by 24%, surpassing the European average, which remains at -14% compared to pre-pandemic levels. iGA Istanbul Airport now leads Europe in direct air connectivity, climbing from fifth place in 2019.Turkish airports currently contribute €47.2 billion to their GDP and sustain nearly 500,000 jobs.

In order to safeguard and reinforce aviation’s role as a critical engine of economic and social development, Jankovec raised a number of issues that must be addressed. He urged Türkiye to liberalise traffic rights, allowing greater airport access through open skies principles. He also noted a need for a more dynamic and market-related regulation of airport charges, better integration between Air Traffic Management and ground operations at airports, and the urgency of enacting a supportive policy and regulatory framework for the supply and uptake of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). 

Find out more in the press release here.