Why Don’t U.S. Airlines Fly to Istanbul? IATA Highlights Turkish Airlines’ Dominance

Speaking to HavaSosyalMedya during the IATA AGM in Rio de Janeiro, Peter Cerdá discussed air connectivity between Türkiye and the Americas, highlighting the strategic strength of Turkish Airlines and its Istanbul hub.

Cerdá noted that connectivity between the Americas and other regions of the world continues to expand, with growing demand for travel to the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. When asked why more North and South American airlines do not serve Türkiye, he explained that Turkish Airlines has built an exceptionally strong and strategic hub operation in Istanbul, while most airlines prefer to focus growth through their own hub airports.

Addressing the possibility of U.S. carriers such as Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines returning to Istanbul in the future, Cerdá pointed to the aircraft supply challenges currently facing the global airline industry. He said airlines are focused on deploying their existing fleets in the most efficient and profitable way possible, with route decisions driven primarily by commercial considerations.

Cerdá also commented on Turkish Airlines’ growing network across the Americas, emphasizing that global connectivity remains one of the most important pillars of the aviation industry. He stated that every new route linking a region to major international hubs such as Istanbul, Doha, New York, or Madrid contributes to economic and social development.

According to Cerdá, IATA continues to support its member airlines in expanding connectivity and reaching new destinations around the world.