✈️ Jetex Plants Its 40th Flag in Istanbul, Betting on the Long-Term Value of the Europe-Middle East Hub
Jetex officially opened the Jetex iGA Terminal at Istanbul iGA Airport (LTFM) on May 7, 2026, marking its 40th FBO location worldwide. Positioned as a VIP travel hub and premium business aviation terminal, the facility was developed in partnership with iGA Istanbul Airport. According to Avi-Go data, business aviation movements at LTFM totaled 1,304 operations from January 1 through May 17, 2026, with March recording a stage peak of 345 movements — a 61% surge month-over-month from February. However, only 184 movements were logged through May 17, representing a notable decline in traffic. The fleet mix is anchored by two core types: the Embraer Legacy 650 (leading departures at 48 movements) and the Bombardier Challenger series (combined total exceeding 100 movements), with VistaJet, Air X, and Kly Air serving as the primary operators, indicating that mid-to-large-cabin business jets dominate this market.
Impact: For FBO operators, the seasonal fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainties surrounding Istanbul traffic will directly test the client stability of the Jetex iGA Terminal. For leading operators such as VistaJet, enhanced premium ground service capabilities can strengthen product competitiveness along the Europe-Middle East corridor; however, the May traffic decline also signals that short-term load factor pressure should not be overlooked.
Recommendation: FBO and ground service providers should finalize dedicated handling programs tailored to the Legacy 650 and Challenger series before Q3 2026, prioritizing the establishment of agreement-based partnerships with high-frequency operators such as VistaJet and Air X. At the same time, LTFM traffic trends from June through August should be closely monitored to determine whether the March peak is replicable, and staffing and resource deployment should be adjusted dynamically based on those findings.