Turkish Airlines vs Other Airlines
Turkey has emerged as a key player in the aviation industry in recent years, with several airlines vying for the top spot in terms of passenger count. Among these airlines, Turkish Airlines has been the leader for many years, but it faces tough competition from other carriers such as Pegasus Airlines, Atlasglobal, SunExpress, AnadoluJet, and Onur Air. In this article, we will compare the passenger counts of these airlines in recent years to determine which Turkish airline carries the highest number of passengers annually.
Turkish Airlines’ Passenger Count in Recent Years
Turkish Airlines is the flag carrier of Turkey and has been in operation since 1933. It is the largest airline in Turkey and one of the largest in the world, with a fleet of over 360 aircraft serving more than 300 destinations across the globe. In recent years, Turkish Airlines has seen a steady increase in its passenger count, with 62.8 million passengers carried in 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the airline industry, and Turkish Airlines reported a 61% drop in passenger numbers in 2020, with only 23.5 million passengers carried.
Pegasus Airlines’ Passenger Count in Recent Years
Pegasus Airlines is a low-cost airline based in Istanbul and has been in operation since 1990. It operates a fleet of 83 aircraft and serves over 100 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. In 2019, Pegasus Airlines carried 30.3 million passengers, making it the second-largest airline in Turkey in terms of passenger count. However, like other airlines, Pegasus Airlines was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 69% drop in passenger numbers in 2020, with only 9.4 million passengers carried.
Atlasglobal’s Passenger Count in Recent Years
Atlasglobal is a Turkish airline that started operations in 2001. It serves over 20 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia and operates a fleet of 16 aircraft. In recent years, Atlasglobal has struggled to compete with other airlines and has seen a decline in its passenger count. In 2019, the airline carried only 1.9 million passengers, a drop of 42% compared to the previous year. In February 2020, Atlasglobal suspended all flights and filed for bankruptcy due to financial difficulties.
SunExpress’ Passenger Count in Recent Years
SunExpress is a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa and has been in operation since 1989. The airline operates a fleet of 84 aircraft and serves over 90 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. In 2019, SunExpress carried 10.1 million passengers, a slight increase from the previous year. However, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the airline, with a 72% drop in passenger numbers in 2020, with only 2.8 million passengers carried.
AnadoluJet’s Passenger Count in Recent Years
AnadoluJet is a low-cost airline based in Ankara and is a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines. It started operations in 2008 and serves over 40 destinations across Turkey and Europe. In recent years, AnadoluJet has seen a steady increase in its passenger count, with 9.5 million passengers carried in 2019. However, like other airlines, AnadoluJet was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 64% drop in passenger numbers in 2020, with only 3.4 million passengers carried.
Onur Air’s Passenger Count in Recent Years
Onur Air is a low-cost airline based in Istanbul and has been in operation since 1992. It operates a fleet of 30 aircraft and serves over 100 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. In recent years, Onur Air has struggled to compete with other airlines and has seen a decline in its passenger count. In 2019, the airline carried only 3.8 million passengers, a drop of 29% compared to the previous year. The COVID-19 pandemic further impacted the airline, with a 75% drop in passenger numbers in 2020, with only 0.9 million passengers carried.
Which Turkish Airline Carries the Most Passengers?
Based on the passenger counts of the six Turkish airlines we have discussed, Turkish Airlines is the clear leader, carrying the highest number of passengers annually. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the airline industry, and all airlines have seen a significant drop in passenger numbers in 2020. Pegasus Airlines is the second-largest airline in Turkey in terms of passenger count, followed by AnadoluJet and SunExpress. Atlasglobal and Onur Air have seen a decline in their passenger counts in recent years and have been struggling to compete with other airlines.
Factors Affecting Passenger Count in Turkish Airlines
Several factors affect the passenger count of Turkish Airlines and other airlines, including the economic situation, competition, and the impact of external events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Turkish Airlines’ global reach and reputation have helped it maintain its position as the leader in the Turkish aviation industry, while low-cost airlines such as Pegasus Airlines and AnadoluJet have gained popularity in recent years.
Turkish Airlines’ Global Reach and Fleet Size
Turkish Airlines has one of the largest fleets in the world and serves over 300 destinations across the globe, making it a popular choice for both domestic and international travelers. The airline has also won several awards for its services, including the Best Airline in Europe award from Skytrax in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Turkish Airlines’ Passenger Count in Comparison to Other Airlines
In comparison to other airlines globally, Turkish Airlines is one of the largest, ranking 16th in terms of passenger count in 2019, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The airline has seen a steady increase in its passenger count over the years and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
Conclusion: The Leading Turkish Airline by Passenger Count
Based on the data we have analyzed, Turkish Airlines is the leading Turkish airline in terms of passenger count, followed by Pegasus Airlines, AnadoluJet, and SunExpress. While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the airline industry, Turkish Airlines’ global reach and reputation have helped it maintain its position as the leader in the Turkish aviation industry. However, competition from other airlines and external factors such as economic conditions and global events will continue to impact the passenger count of all airlines.