Turkish airports to receive 200 million travelers

ANKARA

Turkish airports are on target to see 200 million passengers pass through their doors by the end of the year, Transport Minister Binali Yildirim said Friday.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Yildirim said 180 million passengers used Turkey’s 55 airports last year and figures from the first quarter of 2016 showed this would be surpassed.

“We are starting to reap the fruits of our investments,” he said. “Our airports serve 416 thousand passengers per day. Turkey progresses towards an annual 200 million passengers in aviation numbers.”

The minister added: "Millions of our people who never took a plane before are now able to make all their trips by plane.”

Istanbul’s new airport is due to come into service in February 2018. “I believe the third airport in Istanbul will provide the service needs of Asia and Africa, as well as Istanbul, and carry Istanbul to the position in the aviation market which it deserves,” Yildirim said.