Antalya Prepares to Showcase Growth At Routes Europe 2027

Fraport TAV Antalya Airport (AYT) has officially assumed hosting duties for Routes Europe 2027. Routes spoke with the host team about the event’s strategic importance for both the airport and the wider Antalya region, as well as plans to showcase the destination’s tourism appeal, connectivity and infrastructure. 

Located on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, Antalya is one of the region's leading leisure destinations. The city welcomed a record number of visitors in 2025 as it continued to expand its year-round tourism offering beyond traditional beach holidays into culture, sports, adventure and eco-tourism. 

AYT achieved a major milestone in 2025, handling a record 39.2 million passengers. The airport’s role in supporting the region’s tourism growth has been further strengthened by an €865 million ($987 million) expansion completed in April 2025, which has more than doubled terminal and airside capacity and increased annual passenger capacity to 65 million.  

During Routes Europe 2026, Rustamjon Akhmadzoda, AYT’s Aviation Marketing Manager, emphasized the significance of hosting the route development community following this expansion. “Hosting such a prestigious aviation event acts as a catalyser for the development of the destination, which is an important milestone for us. We are planning to deliver an exceptional event in Antalya,” he said. 

AYT’s traffic growth has been supported by continued route expansion. As the primary hub of SunExpress, the airport has benefited from the airline’s recent launch of services to Memmingen, Podgorica and Aleppo, the resumption of flights to Bratislava and Ostrava.  

While Germany remains Antalya’s largest source market, the airport is focused on strengthening its position across Europe. “Germany is our largest market by passenger numbers and continues to grow,” said Akhmadzoda. “We are aiming to further expand our capacities across Europe.” 

The airport has also seen significant growth in connectivity to CIS countries. Specifically, Central Asia represents an area of expansion. Uzbekistan Airways plans to launch a new nonstop service to Samarkand in June, creating the first direct link between the two cities. Centrum Air plans new service from Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, along with Qanot Sharq, commencing in May with 4X-weekly flights each. 

The future Routes Europe host anticipates that delegates will enjoy a variety of experiences that attract visitors to Antalya year-round. “We have exquisite cuisine, rich history, vibrant nature and Turkish hospitality,” said Akhmadzoda. “At Routes Europe 2027 we are planning multiple excursions around the region to provide delegates with the opportunities to experience the vibe of Antalya.” 

Routes Europe 2027 will be hosted by Fraport TAV Antalya Airport from 20-22 April. The event will unite senior representatives from across the European route development community to participate in network-defining meetings.