Turkish Airlines carried 7.6 million passengers in January 2026

The Turkish Airlines says it carried a total of 7.6 million passengers during the month, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading global carriers.

According to the airline in a statment, its traffic results for January 2026, reflected a strong start to the year marked by sustained passenger growth, increased capacity, and significant gains in cargo operations.

In January 2026, the airline increased its passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometers (ASK), by 10% compared to the same period in 2025. ASK rose from 21.5 billion in January 2025 to 23.7 billion in January 2026, underscoring Turkish Airlines’ continued investment in expanding its network and meeting rising global travel demand, it said.

The total load factor for the month was recorded at 84%, demonstrating strong demand across both domestic and international routes. International load factor stood at 83.7%, while domestic load factor reached an impressive 87.5%, reflecting solid performance in the airline’s home market and its global operations.

A key highlight of the January performance was the growth in international-to-international passenger traffic. The number of transit passengers increased by 10.8%, rising from 2.8 million in January 2025 to 3.1 million in January 2026. İt said this growth further strengthens Turkish Airlines’ strategic position as a global hub carrier, leveraging Istanbul’s geographical advantage as a major connection point between continents.

In addition to passenger growth, Turkish Airlines recorded robust expansion in its cargo and mail operations. Cargo/Mail carried during January 2026 increased by 18.8% compared to the same period last year, reaching 178.3 thousand tons. This notable rise reflects the airline’s continued focus on cargo operations as a strategic growth area, supporting global trade flows and supply chain efficiency.

Fleet expansion remains a critical pillar of the airline’s growth strategy. As of the end of January 2026, Turkish Airlines’ fleet reached 522 aircraft, enabling the carrier to support its expanding route network and increased operational capacity.

The reported traffic results are consolidated figures and include data from both Turkish Airlines’ main brand and its subsidiary, Ajet, it explained.

Overall, the January 2026 performance signals a strong trajectory for the year ahead. With double-digit growth in capacity, sustained passenger demand, and significant gains in cargo volumes.