Turkey Marks Tourism Boost as Antalya Airport Expands, Sets Passenger Record

Antalya Airport completes massive expansion, boosts capacity, adds new amenities, and sets a record with over 38 million passengers, fueling year-round tourism in Turkey. The transformation of Antalya Airport (AYT), a key hub on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, has reached a significant milestone with the successful completion of the first construction phase. Spearheaded by a joint venture between Fraport AG and TAV Airports Holding, this phase was completed in under three years and involved the expansion of the international Terminal 2 by one hundred thirty-two thousand square meters, along with a thirty-eight thousand square meter addition to the domestic terminal. Passenger numbers soared past thirty-eight million in the previous year, a rise of approximately 6.5 percent from 2023, setting a new record for the airport. As part of the upgrade, travelers will benefit from a refreshed dining experience, thanks to a newly formed joint venture, “Best Food for All” (BFA), between Fraport and a leading airport food service provider—marking Fraport’s debut in operating food outlets at Antalya. The first phase also included vital airside developments, such as new taxiways, apron expansions, and an upgraded parking facility. Looking ahead, a new air traffic control tower is set to be completed and transferred to Turkish authorities by the end of 2026, forming part of the ongoing masterplan under the current concession agreement. The total investment for this stage amounts to roughly eight hundred fifty million euros.