Türkiye’s international flight traffic declined in the first nine months of 2026, with the downturn particularly evident at major resort destinations, including Antalya, Dalaman and İzmir, according to data released by the State Airports Authority (DHMİ).
Türkiye, which has faced difficulties generating demand in both established and emerging tourism markets amid a less competitive price position driven by exchange-rate pressures and rising costs, also recorded a decline in international flights to its resort tourism regions.
According to DHMİ data, the number of international flights to and from Turkish airports fell from 712,860 in the first nine months of 2025 to 706,574 in the same period of 2026, a decrease of approximately 1%.
While international flight traffic increased at airports serving Ankara and Istanbul, the figures showed significant declines at several resort destinations, particularly Antalya.
Antalya records a 7% decline in international flights
Antalya Airport, one of Türkiye’s leading tourism gateways, recorded a 7% decrease in international flight traffic during the January–September period. The number of international flights arriving at and departing from the airport fell from 154,722 in the first nine months of 2025 to 143,887 in the same period of 2026.
International flight traffic also declined at Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport. The number of overseas flights dropped from 3,016 to 2,620 year on year.
Dalaman sees the sharpest decline among major resort airports
Dalaman Airport recorded a 13.1% decrease in international flight traffic, with the number of flights falling from 20,740 in the first nine months of 2025 to 18,013 in the same period of 2026.
At Milas-Bodrum Airport, international flight traffic remained broadly stable compared with the same period last year. The airport recorded just 100 fewer international flights.
International flights to İzmir also decrease
İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport recorded a 4% decline in international flight traffic during the first nine months of 2026. The number of international flights arriving at and departing from the airport fell from 27,661 in the January–September period of 2025 to 26,551 in the corresponding period of 2026.
