Antalya Airport Expansion in 2026: What It Means for Altınova and Aksu

The first and largest phase of Antalya Airport's expansion opened in April 2025: both the international and domestic terminals were enlarged, and according to Türkiye's State Airports Authority (DHMİ), annual passenger capacity rose from 35 million to 82 million. In 2026 work continues on a new air traffic control tower, and a new operating period begins on 1 January 2027. For Altınova and Aksu, the residential areas closest to the airport, this is a tangible change for transport, jobs and rental demand.

At a glance

• The first phase of the expansion opened in April 2025, with an investment of about €850 million.
• The international terminal grew from about 90,000 m² to 225,000 m², and the domestic terminal from about 37,000 m² to 75,000 m².
• Aircraft parking positions increased from 108 to 176.
• The airport handled more than 39 million passengers in 2025.
• A new 77-metre control tower is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.
• The Fraport TAV partnership's new concession runs from 1 January 2027 to the end of 2051.

What has the expansion delivered so far?

In 2021 a partnership of Fraport and TAV Airports won the tender to operate Antalya Airport from 2027. Ahead of the new period, the partners took on a major expansion to increase capacity. According to TAV Airports, the first phase, worth about €850 million, was completed in April 2025, when the enlarged terminals welcomed their first passengers.

This phase included:

• Terminal 2 (international) enlarged from about 90,000 m² to 225,000 m².
• The domestic terminal expanded from about 37,000 m² to 75,000 m².
• Aircraft parking positions increased from 108 to 176, with new aprons, taxiways and a multi-storey car park.
• Renovated general aviation, VIP and CIP terminals.
• A solar power plant on the roof of the international terminal.

According to DHMİ, these works raised the airport's annual passenger capacity from 35 million to 82 million. Retail space, food and drink outlets and passenger lounges were also expanded.

What work is still under way in 2026?

The most visible project is the new air traffic control tower. According to Türkiye's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, construction began in November 2025 and the tower will reach 77 metres. Its design draws on the ancient lighthouses of Lycia, and it is intended to become one of the city's new landmarks. Completion is targeted for the end of 2026.

The airport's expansion plan foresees further phases in 2028–2029 and 2038–2039, with a new international terminal in the long term. Because such timelines can change, these later phases are best read as a direction of travel rather than confirmed projects.

What do the passenger numbers say?

According to DHMİ, Antalya Airport ended 2025 with more than 39.16 million passengers. Between January and August 2026, passenger numbers came to about 23.1 million, roughly 3 million below the 26.2 million recorded in the same period of 2025. In short, the expansion gives the airport room to handle today's traffic more comfortably and to grow in the future.

What does it mean for Altınova and Kepez?

Altınova, part of the Kepez district, lies north-west of the airport along the D400 highway and has become the city's main commercial corridor in recent years. Large shopping centres, outlet stores and furniture retailers are concentrated along this road, and the AntRay tram links the city centre with the airport and the Expo area via Altınova.

The airport's growth reaches the area in three ways:

• Jobs and rental demand: people working in aviation, ground handling and tourism keep demand high for small rental flats close to the airport.
• Connectivity: for buyers who travel often, live between two countries or use Antalya for part of the year, an airport a few minutes away makes daily life easier.
• Commercial life: shopping centres and new investment are turning the area from a transit corridor into a lived-in district.

In the middle of this corridor, right next to Deepo Outlet, Skyport Residence is 50 m from Mall of Antalya, 100 m from a tram stop and about 3 km from the airport. Its 1+1 units, which can be used as homes or offices, are designed with exactly this kind of demand in mind.

What about Aksu and Altıntaş?

The Aksu district, east and south-east of the airport, is one of the city's new growth areas, together with the Expo 2016 site. Altıntaş in particular is growing quickly, with new roads and new residential complexes. Its closeness to the airport makes it attractive both to owner-occupiers and to buyers planning to let.

In Altıntaş, Sirius Modern, with a 500 m² swimming pool, a basketball court and children's play areas, is one of the options suited to family life. A little further south, the resort area of Kundu is about 12 km from the airport and has a concentration of complexes aimed at holiday lets.

What should you check before buying near the airport?

Being close to an airport is an advantage, but it also calls for care:

1. Check the flight paths. Streets in line with the runways or under the take-off and landing corridor can have noticeable aircraft noise. Visit at different times of day, ideally in the summer season.
2. Look at the windows. Well-insulated frames and glazing reduce noise considerably.
3. Do not treat the expansion as a price guarantee. Infrastructure supports an area, but values also depend on supply, interest rates and the wider market.
4. Be clear about your rental plan. Long-term lets and short-term tourist lets follow different rules; see our guide to renting out your property for the details.

If you want to see the areas in person, our 4-day property viewing plan is a good place to start.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Antalya Airport expansion finished?

The first and largest phase was completed in April 2025: the terminals were enlarged and annual passenger capacity rose to 82 million. In 2026 the new control tower is under construction, and the airport's plan includes further phases in later years.

What is the airport's new passenger capacity?

According to DHMİ, the expansion raised Antalya Airport's annual passenger capacity from 35 million to 82 million.

Can you reach the airport from the city centre by public transport?

Yes. The AntRay tram links the city centre with the airport via Altınova, and there are bus options as well. This makes homes near the tram line especially practical for getting to the airport.

Is it a good idea to buy near the airport?

It can be if you travel often or plan to let to people working at the airport or in tourism. Before deciding, check the flight path, the noise level and the rules for the type of letting you have in mind.

Cover photo: Marcel Heinrichs, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons (cropped).