Istanbul Airport signs ‘Sister Airport’ agreement with Sydney to boost global connectivity

iGA Istanbul Airport has strengthened its global network by signing a Sister Airport Agreement with Sydney Airport in Australia, marking a new milestone in its efforts to enhance international connectivity and service excellence.

The agreement aims to increase passenger and cargo traffic between the two major hubs, promote joint marketing initiatives, and foster collaboration in route development and information sharing. Both airports will work together to highlight Istanbul and Sydney as leading global destinations for travellers and businesses alike.

Under the partnership, the two airports will hold annual management meetings and organise workshops or seminars when needed. They will also exchange non-commercially sensitive data and best practices to support mutual learning and innovation in airport operations.

The cooperation seeks to promote new and expanded air services between Türkiye and Australia, while joint promotional activities will raise awareness of both cities’ tourism, trade, and cultural offerings.

iGA Istanbul Airport, currently the world’s most connected hub according to ACI EUROPE’s 2025 Airport Industry Connectivity Report, continues to enhance Türkiye’s position on the global aviation map. The report recently confirmed that Istanbul has overtaken Frankfurt as the world leader in global hub connectivity, maintaining its title as Europe’s most connected airport for two consecutive years.

Serving more than 110 airlines and offering flights to over 330 destinations, Istanbul Airport remains among the top three airports worldwide with the highest number of airlines served.

This latest partnership with Sydney follows a similar Sister Airport Agreement signed earlier this year with Chicago O’Hare International Airport. It becomes the tenth such collaboration in iGA’s growing international network, which already includes partnerships with major airports in South Korea, China, Denmark, Thailand, and Vietnam.

iGA officials described the agreement as an important step towards sustainable growth and improved passenger experience, reflecting a shared commitment by both Istanbul and Sydney to strengthen global air transport links and cultural exchange.