Airbus predicts significant growth for Istanbul as global aviation hub

Airbus officials anticipate that Istanbul will strengthen its position as a major international hub for global aviation and air transport. Antonio da Costa, Airbus Vice President of Market Analysis and Forecasting, noted that while political and geographical factors influence the global aviation future, Istanbul’s current performance indicates it is poised to become an even more prominent international center.

Projections suggest that Turkey’s aircraft fleet could more than double over the next 20 years, with the Turkish aviation market requiring approximately 1,800 aircraft during this period. Passenger numbers and flight volumes are also expected to increase two-to-threefold, driven by growth in connecting flights and tourism.

Simon Ward, Head of Airbus Turkey, highlighted the transformation of the Turkish aerospace and aviation sectors. He noted that industrial cooperation has evolved from small-scale metal part production to large-scale manufacturing for Airbus. Airbus’s annual spending in Turkey has risen from $35 million two decades ago to $750 million currently, with expectations for further growth in industrial cooperation between Turkey and Europe over the next five to six years.