September Traffic and Operational Metrics
Turkish Airlines maintained robust passenger volumes in September 2026, recording 9 million passengers across its consolidated network, which includes operations by its subsidiary AJet. According to data reported by TradeArabia News Service, the airline achieved a total load factor of 86.8% for the month. Performance metrics were strong across both segments, with international load factor reaching 86.6% and domestic load factor hitting 88.2%.
The carrier’s capacity also saw growth, with Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) rising 2.5% year-on-year to 24.6 billion. Cargo operations, a significant pillar of the airline’s strategy, expanded notably, with volumes increasing 13% compared to the previous year, reaching 205.7 thousand tonnes. By the end of September, the airline’s fleet had grown to 567 aircraft.
Nine-Month Performance Trends
The September results contribute to a positive outlook for the first nine months of 2026. From January through September, the airline carried 73 million passengers, representing a 5.2% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The cumulative load factor for this nine-month window stood at 85%, supported by 84.8% in international operations and 86.7% in domestic services.
Cargo demand remained resilient throughout the year, with volumes for the nine-month period rising 10.6% to 1.8 million tonnes. Available Seat Kilometres for the year-to-date period increased by 4.4% to 212.2 billion, signaling continued expansion despite broader geopolitical headwinds.
Geopolitical Impacts on Network Strategy
While traffic figures remain high, the airline’s operational map has faced significant disruption due to external economic pressure. As reported by Middle East Eye, Turkish Airlines, along with AJet and Pegasus, suspended all flights to and from Iran effective September 21, 2026. The decision follows the implementation of intensified US Treasury sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector.
Sources familiar with the matter noted that the sanctions are particularly restrictive because they encompass aircraft containing American-made components, including those manufactured by Airbus. Turkish carriers currently have no flights scheduled for Iran until March 2027, with representatives noting that there is no guarantee services will resume even after that date. The suspension coincides with broader regulatory actions in Turkey, including the revocation of the banking license for Iran’s Bank Mellat and the seizure of Golden Global Investment Bank following US sanction designations.