Key Takeaways
• iGA Istanbul Airport scored a record 98.57, winning the World’s Best Airport award in 2024 and 2025.
• It handled 80 million passengers in 2024, operating 1,591 daily flights, Europe’s busiest airport in June 2025.
• Introduced triple runway operations in April 2025, increasing flights to 148 per hour and reducing delays.
iGA Istanbul Airport has been named the World’s Best Airport for 2024 by Travel + Leisure, marking its second win in a row and confirming its place as a top global travel hub. The award, announced on July 16, 2025, in New York City, highlights the airport’s rapid growth, strong passenger experience, and ongoing expansion. This recognition comes at a time when iGA Istanbul Airport is breaking records for passenger numbers, flights, and international connections, making it a key gateway for travelers worldwide.
Award Announcement and What It Means
The World’s Best Airport award from Travel + Leisure is one of the most respected honors in the travel industry. The magazine’s editor-in-chief, Jacqueline Gifford, presented the trophy to Gökhan Şengül, Corporate Communications Director of iGA Istanbul Airport, at a ceremony in New York City. This award is based on a detailed survey of Travel + Leisure’s international readers, who rated airports on how easy they are to use, the check-in process, security, food, shopping, and overall design.
Istanbul Airport received a record score of 98.57 out of 100, up from 95.79 in 2024 and 83.36 in 2023. This sharp rise shows how quickly the airport has improved and how much travelers value its services. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this recognition not only boosts the airport’s reputation but also sets a new standard for airports around the world.
Passenger and Flight Growth
In 2024, iGA Istanbul Airport handled about 80 million passengers, making it the largest airport in Europe and the second-busiest overall. In June 2025, it led all European airports with an average of 1,591 flights per day. This means it outperformed other major hubs like Amsterdam, Paris CDG, Frankfurt, and Heathrow. These numbers show that more people are choosing Istanbul as a stopover or final destination, which is important for both travelers and the local economy.
Connectivity and Global Reach
According to the 2025 ACI Europe Connectivity Report, iGA Istanbul Airport is now the most connected airport in Europe. Since 2019, its total connectivity has increased by 59%, and nonstop flights are up 13% compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. This means travelers have more direct flight options than ever, making it easier to reach destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond.
Innovative Infrastructure and Operations
One of the biggest changes at iGA Istanbul Airport is the introduction of simultaneous triple runway operations in April 2025. This makes it the first airport in Europe to use three runways at the same time. As a result, the airport can now handle up to 148 flights per hour, up from 120 before. This reduces delays, shortens waiting times for passengers, and helps lower carbon emissions by making operations more efficient.
The airport is also in the middle of a major expansion. By the end of 2025, it plans to increase its passenger capacity from 90 million to 120 million. The full master plan, expected to finish by 2028, will allow the airport to serve up to 200 million passengers each year and operate six runways. This growth will help Istanbul keep its place as a leading global travel hub.
Terminal and Retail Expansion
iGA Istanbul Airport already offers 52,000 square meters of duty-free shopping and 32,000 square meters of dining. These spaces give travelers a wide range of shopping and food choices, making their time at the airport more enjoyable. The airport plans to expand its retail offerings even more, especially to attract travelers from the Far East, who often look for unique shopping experiences during layovers.
Strategic Partnerships for Growth
On June 30, 2025, iGA Istanbul Airport signed a strategic partnership with Chicago O’Hare International Airport. This partnership focuses on sharing knowledge and working together on airport management, customer service, infrastructure, and sustainability. The goal is to strengthen Istanbul’s presence in the North American market and help both airports grow in passenger and cargo traffic.
Stakeholder Statements
- Selahattin Bilgen, CEO of iGA Istanbul Airport, said the airport’s success comes from its focus on innovation and making travel better for passengers. He pointed out that the airport’s growth helps connect people and businesses around the world.
- Gökhan Şengül, Corporate Communications Director, highlighted the importance of Turkish hospitality and service standards. He said the award shows that the world recognizes the value of Turkish culture and the airport’s commitment to quality.
- Michael J. McMurray, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation, praised the partnership with Istanbul, saying it will help both airports learn from each other and expand their networks.
Turkish Airlines’ Role in the Airport’s Success
Turkish Airlines is the main carrier at iGA Istanbul Airport and plays a big part in its growth. The airline flies to 352 international destinations in 131 countries and has a fleet of 492 aircraft, which grew by 12% in 2024. In 2024, Turkish Airlines reported a $2.4 billion net profit and carried almost 85 million passengers. This strong performance helps make Istanbul a major transfer hub for travelers going between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Looking ahead, Turkish Airlines plans to nearly double its fleet to over 800 aircraft within the next decade. This will further increase the airport’s capacity and global reach, giving travelers even more options for connecting flights.
How the Award Was Decided
Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Airport award is based on a clear and fair process:
- Survey Distribution: The magazine sent out a survey to its 16 million monthly readers worldwide, asking them to rate airports on several important areas.
- Evaluation: Readers scored airports on accessibility, check-in experience, security, dining, shopping, and design.
- Results Compilation: The scores were added up, and iGA Istanbul Airport received the highest overall score of 98.57.
- Award Ceremony: The winners were announced at a formal event in New York City, where the airport’s leaders accepted the award.
Economic and Social Impact
The growth of iGA Istanbul Airport is having a big effect on Istanbul’s economy. Transit passengers spend an average of $50 per visit, and the airport is working to encourage more transfer passengers to spend time in the city as tourists. This helps local businesses, hotels, and restaurants, creating jobs and boosting the city’s income.
The airport’s expansion also means more jobs for people in construction, retail, security, and other services. As the airport grows, it will need even more workers, which is good news for the local job market.
Sustainability and Environmental Efforts
The partnership with Chicago O’Hare includes a focus on environmental projects. Both airports are working together to find ways to reduce their carbon footprints and make their operations more sustainable. This includes using new technology to save energy, reduce waste, and lower emissions from flights and ground operations.
By leading in both growth and sustainability, iGA Istanbul Airport is showing that it’s possible to expand while still caring for the environment. This is important for travelers who want to know that their journeys are not harming the planet.
Background: How Istanbul Airport Became a Global Leader
iGA Istanbul Airport officially opened in October 2018 and became fully operational in April 2019. In just a few years, it has climbed the ranks to become one of the world’s top airports. It first appeared on Travel + Leisure’s list in 2021 and reached the number one spot in 2024 and 2025.
The airport’s location is a big reason for its success. Sitting at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, it serves as a natural hub for international travel and trade. This makes it a key point for people and goods moving between continents.
Future Plans and What Travelers Can Expect
By the end of 2025, iGA Istanbul Airport’s capacity will reach 120 million passengers. The long-term goal is to handle up to 200 million passengers each year by 2028, with six runways to support this growth. The airport is also testing new technology for quadruple independent runway operations, which would be a first in Europe and make flights even more efficient.
Travelers can expect even more improvements in the coming years, including:
- Faster check-in and security: New technology will help speed up these processes, making travel smoother.
- More shopping and dining options: The airport will add more stores and restaurants, giving travelers more choices.
- Better connections: With more flights and destinations, it will be easier to reach almost any part of the world from Istanbul.
Implications for Immigrants, Tourists, and the Local Community
For immigrants and travelers, iGA Istanbul Airport’s growth means more flight options, shorter layovers, and better services. Families visiting loved ones, students traveling for school, and business people attending meetings will all benefit from the airport’s improvements.
For the local community, the airport’s success brings more jobs, higher incomes, and a stronger economy. It also helps promote Turkish culture and hospitality to the world, making Istanbul a more attractive place to visit and live.
Official Resources and Where to Learn More
Travelers and those interested in the airport’s services can visit the iGA Istanbul Airport official website for up-to-date information on flights, facilities, and news. For details on the award and how it was decided, the Travel + Leisure website provides background on the survey and rankings. For official statistics and regulatory updates, the State Airports General Directorate (DHMI) offers comprehensive data.
Conclusion and Practical Guidance
iGA Istanbul Airport’s recognition as the World’s Best Airport for 2024 by Travel + Leisure is a major achievement that reflects years of investment, planning, and hard work. The airport’s rapid growth, strong partnerships, and focus on passenger experience set it apart from other global hubs. With ongoing expansion, new technology, and a commitment to sustainability, iGA Istanbul Airport is well-positioned to remain a leader in global aviation for years to come.
For travelers, this means better service, more choices, and a smoother journey through one of the world’s most important airports. For the local community, it means more opportunities and a brighter future. As the airport continues to grow, it will play an even bigger role in connecting people, cultures, and economies across the globe.
If you are planning to travel through Istanbul or are interested in the latest developments in global aviation, keep an eye on iGA Istanbul Airport. Its story is one of progress, innovation, and a commitment to making travel better for everyone.
Learn Today
Travel + Leisure → A leading travel magazine that annually ranks airports worldwide based on passenger surveys.
Triple runway operations → Simultaneous use of three runways at an airport to increase capacity and reduce flight delays.
Connectivity → A measure of how well an airport links passengers to various domestic and international destinations.
Passenger capacity → The maximum number of passengers an airport can accommodate annually.
Strategic partnership → A collaboration between airports to share knowledge, improve services, and enhance growth opportunities.
This Article in a Nutshell
iGA Istanbul Airport was named the World’s Best Airport for 2024 and 2025 due to rapid growth, connectivity, and innovation, handling 80 million passengers in 2024 and pioneering triple runway use in Europe.
— By VisaVerge.com
