What Will Antalya Airport Look Like in the Coming Years?
✈️ ANTALYA AIRPORT FUTURE EXPANSION TURKEY TRAVEL
What Will Antalya Airport Look Like in the Coming Years?
Antalya Airport (AYT) — the main gateway to the Turkish Riviera — is undergoing a massive transformation. In recent years, it has already become Turkey's second busiest airport after Istanbul, and in the coming decade, its appearance and capabilities will change dramatically. This article breaks down the key stages of development: from already completed projects to plans for the 2030s, as well as new challenges and opportunities for passengers.
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Let's examine the key milestones in the airport's development: what has already been done, what is planned for the near future, and what challenges remain.
What you will learn from this article
• Completed first phase of expansion
• Second phase: new horizons by 2029
• Third phase: 80+ million passengers by 2040
• What changed for passengers
• Future challenges: seasonality and traffic growth
• What this means for investors
What Has Already Been Done: Results of the First Phase
The first phase of the large-scale expansion of Antalya Airport has been officially completed. The work was carried out by the Fraport TAV Antalya Airport consortium, which received a 25-year concession to manage the airport — from January 2027 to December 2051. The total investment in the new infrastructure exceeded €850 million.
| What changed | Before renovation | After renovation |
|---|---|---|
| Annual passenger capacity | ~35–40 million | 65 million |
| International Terminal T2 | 89,357 m² | 225,102 m² (2.5x larger) |
| Domestic Terminal T4 | ~37,000 m² | 75,159 m² (doubled) |
| Aircraft parking positions | 108 | 176 (expandable to 202) |
| Terminals | 3 terminals | Modernized T1, T2, T4 (T1 temporarily closed) |
The new terminals meet the LEED v4 Gold standard, and a 4 MW solar power plant has been installed on the T2 roof, reducing CO₂ emissions by over 4,300 tonnes per year.
Second Phase: New Horizons by 2029
The second phase of development, scheduled for 2028–2029, is set to finally transform Antalya Airport into one of the Mediterranean's largest hubs. Its main goal is to increase passenger capacity to 82 million passengers per year.
Key works of the second phase:
- Completion of the new control tower and technical block (11,234 m²) — scheduled for 2026.
- Further expansion of apron areas and taxiways.
- Increasing the number of air bridges — already grown from 20 to 38, significantly speeding up passenger processing.
Third Phase: 80+ Million by 2040
The most ambitious plans are set for 2038–2039. The third phase includes the construction of a new international terminal (T3) of about 70,000 m² and additional facilities. This will increase passenger traffic to 80 million and more per year, providing a buffer for decades to come. The cost of this phase is estimated at €165 million.
New Terminal: What Changed for Passengers
With the opening of the renovated T2 in April 2025, passengers now enjoy:
- Three times more commercial space — 28 food and beverage outlets and duty-free shops on about 12,000 m².
- Three lounges at different levels — Comfort, Elite, and Premium, with terraces and food delivery from any restaurant in the terminal.
- New check-in counters and passport control points that should reduce waiting times during peak hours.
Future Challenges: Seasonality and Traffic Growth
Despite the modernization, Antalya Airport faces serious challenges. The main one is extreme seasonality. The difference between winter and summer passenger traffic is enormous: an average of 270 flights per day in winter, and up to 910 in summer.
The current situation (summer 2026) confirms these concerns: in the first five months alone, the airport handled 9.17 million passengers, a record high. At peak times, tourists are advised to arrive at the airport 3.5–4 hours before departure due to possible delays and tight schedules.
New challenges also include:
- Transport accessibility — the tram line does not yet reach the new international terminal, drawing criticism from passengers.
- The need to attract year-round flights — developing cultural, ecological, and business tourism should smooth out seasonality.
- Maintaining growth momentum — in 2025, the airport served a record 39.2 million passengers, and 2026 is expected to see a new peak.
What This Means for Investors and Property Buyers
The development of Antalya Airport directly affects the region's attractiveness for living and investment. Increasing passenger traffic to 65–82 million people per year means:
- Growing tourist flow and, as a result, increased demand for rental housing (especially in the short-term rental segment).
- Infrastructure development in areas adjacent to the airport and along new transport routes.
- Increased business activity — the airport is becoming a hub not only for tourists but also for conferences, events, and business tourism (in 2026, Antalya will host the UN COP31 climate conference).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Antalya Airport Development
The expansion is being carried out in three phases. The first phase was completed in 2025–2026. The second phase is scheduled for 2028–2029, and the third phase is planned for 2038–2039. Full completion is expected by 2040.
After the first phase, the airport's annual capacity increased from 35–40 million to 65 million passengers. By 2029, it will reach 82 million, and by 2040 — over 80 million passengers per year.
International flights use the renovated Terminal 2 (T2). Terminal 1 (T1) is temporarily closed for renovation. The new Terminal 3 (T3) will be built by 2040.
You can get to the airport by taxi, HAVAŞ shuttle buses, or the Antray tram line, which connects the airport with the city center. However, the tram currently stops at the domestic terminal; passengers can walk to the international terminal (T2) via a covered walkway.
Yes, a 4 MW solar power plant has been installed on the roof of Terminal 2. It generates about 6.4 million kWh of electricity annually, reducing CO₂ emissions by over 4,300 tons per year.
In 2025, the airport served a record 39.2 million passengers. In the first five months of 2026, it already handled 9.17 million passengers, indicating continued growth.
The difference between summer and winter passenger traffic is significant: in summer, the airport handles up to 910 flights per day, while in winter it's only about 270. This creates challenges for staff, ground handling services, and flight schedules.
The first phase of expansion cost over €850 million. The third phase is estimated at €165 million. The total investment is expected to exceed €1 billion.
Yes, the third phase of expansion includes the construction of a new international terminal (T3) with an area of about 70,000 m². It is scheduled for 2038–2039.
Increasing passenger traffic boosts the region's attractiveness for tourism and business, which in turn increases demand for rental housing and stimulates infrastructure development. Areas near the airport and along new transport routes become more attractive for investment.
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Conclusion
Antalya Airport is set to make the leap from a large regional hub to a global transport hub. Already today, it can handle up to 65 million passengers per year, and by the 2040s, this figure will approach 80–90 million.
For passengers, this means more modern terminals, more shopping and dining options, but during peak seasons — lingering risks of delays and congestion. For investors and property buyers, this provides additional incentives to invest in a region that is becoming increasingly connected to the rest of the world. However, as with any rapidly growing project, there are challenges — from seasonality to infrastructure gaps that will need to be addressed in the coming years.
The material is based on official data from the airport operator (Fraport TAV), government agencies (DHMI), and reports from international financial institutions. Information is current as of July 2026.
