Turkish Airlines has posted its strongest-ever May performance, carrying 7.9 million passengers during the month. The Istanbul-based carrier reported an 84.0% load factor, with domestic routes slightly outperforming international at 84.4% versus 84.0%.
Available seat kilometres (ASK) rose 2.5% year-on-year to 23.2 billion, reflecting the airline's continued capacity expansion across its network. The carrier's fleet now numbers 542 aircraft, supporting both passenger and cargo operations.
Cargo and Mail Volumes Surge
Cargo and mail operations grew 8.6% in May compared to the same month in 2025. For the January-to-May period, cargo and mail volumes increased 13.5% to 954,600 tonnes, underscoring the airline's dual focus on bellyhold and freighter capacity.
Year-to-date passenger traffic reached 36.4 million, a 7.3% increase over the first five months of 2025. The overall load factor for this period stood at 83.6%, with domestic at 84.3% and international at 83.5%. ASK for the five-month period rose 6.5% to 112.1 billion.
The results come as Turkish Airlines continues to expand its global footprint, adding routes and frequencies to key markets. The carrier's hub at Istanbul Airport (IST) remains a critical transfer point for traffic between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Industry observers note that Turkish Airlines' performance aligns with broader trends in the aviation sector, where carriers are seeing strong demand recovery. For context, SriLankan Airlines recently expanded its Saudi network via codeshares, reflecting the Middle East's growing importance as an aviation market.
Turkish Airlines' cargo arm, Turkish Cargo, has been investing in freighter capacity and digital booking platforms, contributing to the double-digit growth in mail and cargo volumes. The airline's ability to leverage its Istanbul hub for both passenger and cargo connectivity gives it a competitive advantage over many legacy carriers.
The May record follows a strong first quarter for the airline, which saw passenger numbers rise steadily. The carrier's strategy of expanding into underserved markets while maintaining high load factors has paid off, with the 84% load factor in May indicating efficient capacity management.
Looking ahead, Turkish Airlines is expected to continue its fleet modernization program, with deliveries of Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft scheduled through 2027. The airline also plans to launch new routes to secondary cities in Asia and Africa, further diversifying its network.
For travel professionals, the data confirms Turkish Airlines as a key partner for both passenger and cargo bookings, particularly for connections via Istanbul to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The airline's strong operational performance provides confidence for agents and tour operators planning itineraries through its hub.
