With the opening of an air network hub in Istanbul, FedEx, according to its own statements, aims to strengthen the position of Turkey in global logistics. The country has developed into an important region for global air freight and is a major hub for cross-border e-commerce.
Location Advantage
With the new site, which began operations in August 2025, the company positions itself at the interface between East and West. The company regards Istanbul's location between Europe, Asia and Africa as an advantage. It aims to strengthen the global FedEx network.
"The new facility in Istanbul is a strategic step for FedEx that will further integrate our global air and road networks
and provide our customers with the scale and flexibility they need in a dynamic trading environment," said Richard W. Smith, Chief Operating Officer International and Chief Executive Officer Airline, FedEx.
30 Flights per Week
According to him, this should also unlock the potential of the combined networks and drive growth in the global air cargo market. The new site connects Turkey with 30 weekly FedEx flights to destinations in the United States, Europe and the Middle East, and offers capacity for the network's future growth in the region.
The global air network will continue to be integrated into the road network, which according to the company connects 45 countries and handles
1.3 million shipments per week. Istanbul Airport processed almost two million tons of freight in 2024 — an increase of 24 percent compared with the previous year.
Services
At the 25,300-square-meter site, among other things, Air Gateway functions, customs clearance, and administrative support are offered. The technical equipment includes an automated sorting system, high-speed security screenings, and capacities for handling hazardous materials.
Volume management has improved – with a threefold sorting capacity compared with the previous setup, up to 7,000 shipments per hour could be processed, according to the information.
In addition, three automated high-speed X-ray machines with artificial intelligence are expected to increase the speed, accuracy and security of shipment
screening.
"We are proud to open this new site, which has been specifically built to offer our customers who want to grow worldwide smarter and more efficient logistics solutions," said Eser Sezek, Vice President Ground Operations, FedEx Türkiye.
Throughput Capacity Is Set to Grow
According to Selahattin Bilgen, Chief Executive Officer, iGA Istanbul Airport, the investment by FedEx at iGA Istanbul Airport demonstrates the growing importance of Turkey in international aviation.
"It strengthens our position as an important player in global freight and e-commerce and supports our long-term vision to become a world-leading airport in the air cargo sector with an intended throughput capacity of over five million tons," Bilgen emphasizes.
