27.01.2025 09:31
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, announced that in 2024, Turkey's revenue from airspace usage has reached a record level of 24 billion 809 million 528 thousand lira. While Turkey increased the number of active airports from 26 in 2002 to 58 by the end of 2024, the international flight network continues to expand.
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The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, stated that Turkey, which can be accessed by 1.4 billion people living in 67 countries with a flight time of 4 hours, saw a record level of revenue from the use of its airspace in 2024, amounting to 24 billion 809 million 528 thousand lira.
"TURKEY IS ONE OF THE COUNTRIES WITH THE LARGEST FLIGHT NETWORK IN THE WORLD"
Minister Uraloğlu noted that Turkey has historically been located at the intersection of continents, civilizations, and ancient transportation corridors, emphasizing that Turkey, which is a natural bridge in the east-west corridor between Asia and Europe, is also situated right in the middle of the north-south corridor extending from the Caucasus countries and Russia to Africa. Uraloğlu pointed out that the number of active airports, which was 26 in 2002, has reached 58 by the end of 2024, enabling Turkey to enter among the countries with the largest flight network in the world.
Uraloğlu reported that the number of countries Turkey has agreements with in the field of air transportation has increased from 81 to 175, explaining that in 2002, flights were conducted to 60 points in 50 countries on international routes, and with the addition of 289 new points to the flight network, they have reached 349 points in 132 countries.
Uraloğlu stated that they have increased the number of passengers on domestic and international flights from approximately 34.5 million in 2002 to over 230.2 million by the end of 2024, and mentioned that the number of flights, including transit overflights in Turkish airspace, has reached 2 million 290 thousand 581.
"OUR COUNTRY HAS ACHIEVED SUCCESS IN INTERNATIONAL AVIATION"
Uraloğlu drew attention to Turkey's achievements in the international aviation sector. He explained that according to the rules of the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL), of which Turkey is a member, expenses are collected from airspace users for the use of facilities and services. He continued: In this context, member countries of EUROCONTROL prepare a 'cost base' that includes these expenses for each financial year. This base consists of personnel, other current expenses, depreciation, and capital costs. Airspace users are charged based on the cost base for air navigation services. These costs constitute the reimbursement amount for expenses related to Turkey's air navigation services. In this context, due to the ability to access 67 countries with a flight time of 4 hours, Turkey, which connects the world, saw a record revenue of approximately 24 billion 809 million 528 thousand lira from the use of its airspace under air navigation services last year.
"TURKEY, THE HUB OF THE WORLD"
Uraloğlu recalled that in 2023, revenue from the use of airspace under air navigation services amounted to 13 billion 141 million 444 thousand lira, stating, "Our country, which is the hub of the world, is expected to generate 35 billion 719 million 163 thousand lira from airspace usage this year, 37 billion 220 million 69 thousand lira next year, and 43 billion 435 million 358 thousand lira in 2027."
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