Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen tops European punctuality rankings

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has ranked first among Europe's 20 busiest airports for on-time performance after achieving an 88% punctuality rate in the latest reporting period, the airport operator's chief said on Friday, citing EUROCONTROL data that places the Turkish hub well above the continental average.

Faruk Kacir, who heads airport operator HEAS, announced the results in a post on Turkish social media platform NSosyal, stating that Sabiha Gokcen outperformed the European average punctuality rate of 72%. The achievement marks the first time the Asian-side airport has topped the Network Performance Report published by the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation.

Operational factors

Kacir attributed the strong performance to the airport's operational infrastructure, effective air traffic management and close coordination among stakeholders, alongside a sustainable development strategy that has streamlined ground operations. He noted that consistent efficiency gains across all phases of flight preparation have allowed the facility to maintain high departure regularity even as traffic volumes increase.

The HEAS chief extended thanks to air traffic controllers, airlines, ground handling companies and airport personnel for their contributions to the punctuality record, emphasizing that the result reflects collective effort across the aviation ecosystem. Industry data confirms that maintaining such rates requires precise synchronization between tower operations, airlines and service providers during peak periods.

Capacity expansion

Looking ahead, Kacir added that the airport is preparing for future growth through significant infrastructure investments, including construction of a second runway, new apron areas and terminal expansion projects. Digital transformation initiatives are also underway to enhance passenger processing and baggage handling systems, ensuring the facility can accommodate rising demand while preserving its operational standards.

Traffic volumes

Located on the Asian side of Istanbul, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport serves as one of Türkiye's busiest aviation hubs, handling both domestic and international traffic. The airport processed 48.4 million passengers in 2025, including 21.2 million on domestic routes and 27.2 million on international flights, according to airport data.