Istanbul Airport has once more been recognised as the world’s premium international airport, achieving its second consecutive victory to be "World’s Top 10 International Airports" survey conducted by Travel and Leisure. Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, announced this achievem

The airport achieved an impressive 98.57 reader score, improving on last year’s 95.79, and topped the rankings based on accessibility, check-in experience, security, dining, shopping, and overall design. Travel and Leisure highlighted the achievement as “extra impressive,” given that Istanbul Airport ranked only seventh in 2023.

Adding to this success, Istanbul Airport set a new record on July 18, handling 1,695 air traffic movements in a single day – the highest since its opening.

A Core of Global Connectivity

Since opening, Istanbul Airport has grown into one of the world’s most important aviation hubs. It became Europe’s largest and second busiest airport in 2024, handling nearly 80 million passengers, according to the State Airports General Directorate (DHMI).

The airport is also emerging as a major cargo hub, becoming Europe’s busiest in air cargo traffic last year, as reported by the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe 2024 Annual Traffic Report.

With triple simultaneous runway operations introduced this April, Istanbul Airport has become the first airport in Europe to operate three runways at once – and only the second in the world after the U.S.

What does this mean for Real Estate Investors

Istanbul Airport’s global acceptance not only boosts Türkiye’s reputation in international travel but also directly impacts real estate investment markets.

Day by day improving global connectivity, Istanbul continuously to attracts foreign investors, high net worth individuals, and international companies, driving demand for both residential and commercial properties.

Having such a world class transport hub so close makes property in the surrounding districts, such as Başakşehir, Arnavutköy, and Göktürk, very much more expensive, yet even they become highly desirable to investors seeking high rental returns and capital appreciation.

For overseas purchasers, easier access and Istanbul's growing status as an international center of commerce and tourism make the city even more desirable for real estate investment.

Why It Matters Now

As Istanbul establishes itself as an aviation world leader, its real estate market will benefit from increased foreign interest and investment. Together with recent developments, such as the EU easing Schengen visa regulations for Turks and ongoing Türkiye-EU economic cooperation, the future of real estate investment in Istanbul has never looked more promising.

For property investors or for those applying for Turkish citizenship by investment, this is another indication that Istanbul continues to be one of the cities with the best long-term opportunities.