Istanbul Airport. Photo: Shutterstock Record-breaking achievement with no travelers from Israel.
Yesterday (July 25), Istanbul IGA International Airport achieved a record-breaking feat with 271,836 passengers in a single day.
This historic daily record in Turkey's aviation history positions the airport as one of the busiest and most influential globally, and it clearly showcases Turkey's growing strength as an aviation and tourism hub.
The official statement from the airport declared: “Bringing our country to the forefront of global aviation is a tremendous source of pride and joy for us. We are proud to be a leading international gateway to the world.”
According to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the number of foreign visitors to the country in the first half of 2025 exceeded 24 million tourists, an increase of about 12% compared to the same period last year.
The leading destinations for incoming tourism include Istanbul, Antalya, Cappadocia, Izmir, and Bodrum, as Turkey has focused on upgrading infrastructure, global campaigns, and partnerships with travel agencies and airlines worldwide in recent years.
Despite the extensive aviation ties that existed between Israel and Turkey in recent years, all direct flights between the countries were suspended since the outbreak of Operation "Iron Swords" in October 2023.
Turkish Airlines, one of the most popular airlines with Israeli travelers, suspended all its operations to and from Israel.
Before the suspension, the airline operated more than 10 daily flights between Israel and Turkey, offering connections across the globe, including destinations in Europe, Asia, and America.
Opened in 2019, Istanbul Airport, which replaced the old Ataturk Airport, is considered one of the most modern and impressive in the world. The airport plans to accommodate over 200 million passengers annually in the long term and repeatedly proves its stature.