🇹🇷 Both Istanbul Airports See Summer Business Jet Traffic Decline, with Operators Holding Distinct Positions
Istanbul business jet traffic declined rather than rose during the peak summer travel season, with both major airports contracting simultaneously. Avi-Go data shows the two airports recorded a combined 5,637 movements over the past 90 days, down 11.5% from 6,371 in the same period last year. Among these, Atatürk Airport (LTBA), which has been transformed for general aviation and business jet use, accounted for over 70% of the combined total with 4,384 movements, down 12.2% year-on-year, while Istanbul New Airport (LTFM) recorded 1,253 movements, down 9.1% year-on-year. The operator structures at the two airports are distinctly different: LTBA is led by local operators Genel Havacilik (473 movements), Bonair (324 movements), and Bikinijet (241 movements), while LTFM is dominated by international operators such as VistaJet (98 movements), NetJets Europe, and Qatar Executive. In terms of destinations, domestic business and resort destinations such as Bodrum (263 movements) and Ankara (187 movements) form the core, supplemented by international traffic to Moscow, Nice, London, and other destinations.
Impact: Local operators and international players have established differentiated positioning at the two airports. The contraction at LTBA more directly impacts Turkish local fleets that rely on the domestic network, while international operators at LTFM are influenced by fluctuations in cross-border demand.
Recommendation: Local operators may assess capacity allocation for resort destinations such as Bodrum and Dalaman as the August peak season winds down, positioning to capture the September business travel recovery window; international operators should closely monitor demand toward Moscow and Nice, dynamically adjusting LTFM arrival slots.