# Turkey aviation sector development and ICAO engagement > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-aviation-sector-development-and-icao-engagement > Updated: 2026-10-10T10:11:53.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Turkey has demonstrated significant advancements in its civil aviation sector, beginning with high performance in international safety audits. In September 2026, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM) reported a 95.45 percent success rate in audits conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The audits, which covered legislation, organization, flight operations, and airworthiness, showed that Turkey’s effective implementation levels exceeded the ICAO EUR/NAT regional average. Building on these safety and oversight achievements, Turkey announced its intention to run for a seat on the ICAO Council during the extraordinary general assembly in November 2026. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu cited the country’s rapid aviation growth as a primary driver for the candidacy. Since 2002, Turkey has expanded its active airports from 26 to 58, increased annual passenger numbers from 34.5 million to over 247 million by 2025, and seen its total aircraft fleet grow by 424 percent. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-10: Turkey to run for ICAO Council seat in 2026 Turkey will run for a seat on the ICAO Council in November 2026 as an ECAC candidate, following significant growth in its national aviation capacity and passenger numbers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-to-run-for-icao-council-seat-in-2026 ### 2026-09-22: Turkey achieves 95.45 percent success in ICAO aviation audits Turkey achieved a 95.45 percent success rate in ICAO civil aviation safety audits, with performance in key areas exceeding regional averages. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-achieves-9545-percent-success-in-icao-aviation-audits --- Cite as: Turkey aviation sector development and ICAO engagement. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-aviation-sector-development-and-icao-engagement