FedEx opens major air transit facility at Istanbul Airport to boost regional logistics

Istanbul’s geographic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa positions it as an important logistics hub. The new site connects Türkiye with 30 weekly FedEx flights serving markets in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. It also supports future expansion across the region. The integration of this air facility with one of the largest road networks in the area enables connections to 45 countries, handling about 1.3 million shipments each week. In 2024, Istanbul Airport managed nearly two million tons of cargo—a 24% increase from the previous year—making it Europe’s busiest air cargo hub.

The new 25,300 square meter building consolidates various operations under one roof such as air gateway functions, customs clearance teams, and office support. Its technological features include an automated sorting system capable of processing up to 7,000 packages per hour—three times more than before—and high-speed security screening with artificial intelligence-enhanced x-ray machines.

“We’re proud to open this new facility, purpose-built to deliver smarter, more efficient logistics solutions for our customers looking to grow globally.” said Sezek.“By integrating cutting-edge technology and advanced automation, this facility underscores our commitment to building a smarter logistics network and delivering outstanding services for our customers.”

“FedEx investment at iGA Istanbul Airport is a testament to our rapidly growing reputation as one of the world’s best-connected global logistics hubs, as well as Türkiye’s rising importance in aviation on the international stage,” said Bilgen.“This major investment strengthens our position as a key player in global cargo and e-commerce operations and supports our long-term vision of becoming a world leading airport in air cargo, with a targeted handling capacity of over five million tons. It’s a great pleasure to welcome FedEx as a strategic partner in our ambitious growth plans, and we look forward to building on this collaboration in the months and years ahead.”