Turkish Airlines Plans World's Largest Cargo Terminal with $2.3B Investment.

January 2, 2026 at 09:46 AM•2 min read

Turkish Airlines announced a $2.3 billion investment to build the world's largest cargo terminal and catering facility, creating 26,000 new jobs.

Key Points

1Turkish Airlines announced a $2.3 billion (100 billion Turkish liras) investment for the world's largest cargo terminal and a catering facility.
2The project is expected to generate 26,000 new jobs, reinforcing Türkiye's position as a global logistics hub.
3The investment supports the airline's goal to become a top five global carrier by 2033, backed by a planned fleet of 813 aircraft.
4Turkish Cargo was the world's third-largest air cargo carrier in 2024, transporting 2 million tonnes of cargo in 2025.

Türkiye's flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, announced a massive new project. The airline will build the world's largest cargo terminal and an in-flight catering facility. This major Turkish Airlines investment totals 100 billion Turkish liras. This is equivalent to over $2.3 billion.

Strategic Expansion and Scale

The airline confirmed the news on Friday, January 2. They used the social media platform NSosyal for the announcement. The flag carrier stated, "Türkiye is growing, Turkish Airlines is soaring." The new facilities will create a significant number of positions. The project is expected to generate 26,000 new jobs.

The location for the new complex was not officially specified. However, the projects are likely destined for Istanbul. Istanbul is Türkiye’s commercial capital. It is also the site of two major international air hubs. The new THY in-flight catering facility will support growing passenger traffic. The Turkish Airlines cargo terminal will boost logistics capacity.

Supporting Global Ambitions

This investment aligns with the carrier's aggressive growth strategy. Turkish Airlines is already a major player in global air freight. In 2024, Turkish Cargo was ranked the world's third-largest air cargo carrier. This ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The airline carried 2 million tonnes of cargo in 2025. They also served over 85 million passengers that year. This large-scale infrastructure project supports future growth. It will solidify Istanbul's role as a premier Istanbul air cargo hub.

Fleet and Market Context

This development supports the airline's long-term fleet goals. CEO Bilal Eksi recently stated a major target. Turkish Airlines aims to be among the world’s top five airlines by 2033. This goal requires a significant Turkish Airlines fleet expansion. The carrier plans to reach a fleet size of 813 units by that year. The fleet stood at 514 units at the end of 2025.

Turkish Cargo is already expanding its specialized offerings. This includes its pharma product line. The new terminal will enhance capacity and efficiency. The current SMARTIST facility at Istanbul Airport has a 4.5 million ton capacity goal by 2033. The new project will further leverage Türkiye's unique geographical position. It will help capture a larger share of international air freight markets. This strategic move is a major development in commercial aviation news.