The world’s best connected airport is in beautiful European city

Istanbul Aiport in Turkey is the world’s most connected airport with an average of 1,300 flights to various countries all over the world every single day. 

Surprisingly, the world’s most connected airports aren’t always the oldest. 

A recent report by aviation analytics firm Cirium reveals that Istanbul Airport has clinched the top spot for the most connected airport in the world. 

This is despite it only being operational for six years.

This bustling hub boasts 309 nonstop flights to 315 destinations, serving nearly 90 million passengers annually as of January 2024.

According to Eurocontrol, Istanbul Airport had an average of 1,375 daily flights in 2023, with a new record being set on June 22 2023, when the airport registered a total of 1,684 flights in a single day.

By the close of 2023, Istanbul Airport had handled 505,968 flights – a huge jump from the 329,876 flights it managed in its inaugural year of 2019.

This extensive network places Istanbul Airport among the select few airports in Europe – and globally – that connect to every inhabited continent.

Looking ahead, the airport plans to expand its reach further by adding 11 new airlines to its roster of 101 carriers by the end of 2024.

In a recent development on June 28 2024, Istanbul Airport unveiled new flights to Guangzhou with China Southern Airlines, marking a key step in its strategy to not only recover but surpass pre-pandemic travel levels from China.

Mike Arnot, a spokesperson who represents Cirium and the Star Alliance, said: “Istanbul is perfectly located to play such a role, at the juncture of Europe and Asia, and it’s helped tremendously by the ambitions of its flag carrier, Turkish Airlines. 

“Compared to before the pandemic, Turkish Airlines has more than doubled the number of seats flown to North America, 30 percent to Asia, and added 10 percent to Europe.”

Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. It is known for its culture, colourful bazaars and superb cuisine.