According to the “2025 Airport Industry Connectivity Report” published by ACI EUROPE, iGA Istanbul Airport has taken the top spot globally in hub connectivity, surpassing Frankfurt in this year’s rankings.

In addition, iGA Istanbul Airport has maintained its position as Europe’s most connected airport in terms of direct connectivity, holding the same title in both 2024 and 2025.

With its strategic location and strong operational capacity, iGA Istanbul Airport, a central player in global aviation, has risen to the top of the “2025 Airport Industry Connectivity Report,” the most comprehensive index published by the Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE) to measure and rank airport connectivity. Compared to 2019, iGA increased its global hub connectivity by 59%, surpassing Frankfurt Airport, which had held the top spot for many years. In the latest rankings, iGA was followed by Dallas Fort Worth and Frankfurt, the latter of which has experienced a 21% decline in global connectivity since 2019.

The report, based on connectivity indices developed by SEO Amsterdam Economics, emphasized that iGA’s remarkable ascent is a result of the combined impact of Turkish Airlines’ strong global network, Istanbul’s strategic geographic location, extensive capacity, and Türkiye’s supportive aviation policies.

The report also noted that iGA Istanbul Airport has continued to lead Europe in the “Direct Connectivity” category, maintaining its top position in 2025, as it did in 2024. Compared to 2019, the airport has increased its direct connections by 13%. While it ranked fifth before the pandemic, it now stands as Europe’s most directly connected airport.

Selahattin Bilgen, CEO of iGA Istanbul Airport, shared his thoughts on the results:

“With our expanding flight network, strategic location, and our commitment to providing high-quality service to passengers, Istanbul has firmly positioned itself at the center of global aviation. This leadership is not only a source of pride for us, but also for our country and our region. The ACI EUROPE data once again underscores that iGA Istanbul Airport is a strategic hub not just for Türkiye, but for global air travel. Thanks to our strong performance in both direct and connecting flights, our airport continues to serve as a critical bridge in the global airline network.
At iGA Istanbul Airport, we adapted quickly and with vision to the rapidly shifting dynamics of the aviation industry in the post-pandemic period. Through strategic investments, a passenger-focused service approach, and strong partnerships with our stakeholders, we have transformed Istanbul into a global transfer hub. In the period ahead, we will continue to grow, develop innovative solutions, and deliver an exceptional travel experience to our passengers.”