Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen Airport sets new daily passenger record

Sabiha Gokcen Airport on the Asian side of Istanbul recorded its busiest day ever on August 9, handling 179,789 passengers across 935 flights, according to a statement from Airport Management and Aeronautical Industries (HEAS), the facility's operating authority.

Traffic Composition

International routes accounted for the majority of activity during the milestone day, with 56.5% of flights serving overseas destinations while 43.5% remained within the country. Passenger traffic followed a similar pattern at 56% international and 44% domestic, with incoming travelers making up 50.4% of the total volume and outgoing passengers representing 49.6%.

Operational Coordination

Faruk Kacir, general manager of HEAS, said the new record for the airport's operational capacity served as a testament to its service quality and trust. "We will continue to take the Sabiha Gokcen Airport much further and achieve new successes with our commitment to uninterrupted and safe operations," Kacir said, adding that teams managed passenger flow, security and guidance processes without interruption despite the heavy volume.

The previous record of 174,325 passengers aboard 919 flights had been set just one week earlier on August 2, illustrating the rapid growth in traffic at the hub. The facility serves as a major gateway on the Asian side of Türkiye's largest city and continues to expand its capacity to meet rising demand.