FedEx inaugurates new global air transit facility in Istanbul
The 25,300 sq. m facility consolidates gateway, customs, and office operations under one roof for efficiency.
FedEx Corporation, one of the world’s leading express transportation companies, has officially inaugurated its new global air transit facility at Istanbul Airport (IST).
This strategic facility places FedEx at the crossroads of East and West, in a country rapidly emerging as a global air cargo powerhouse and a key hub for cross-border e-commerce, according to an official release from FedEx.
In operation since August 2025, the state-of-the-art facility marks a major long-term investment at the site. It enhances the FedEx global network and reinforces the company’s commitment to advancing global trade through modern logistics infrastructure and innovative technology.
“This new facility in Istanbul is a strategic move for FedEx, further integrating our global air and ground networks and delivering the scale and flexibility our customers need in a dynamic trade environment,” says Richard W. Smith, COO International & CEO Airline, FedEx. “It is also a key step in unleashing the power of our combined networks to create long-term value and capture growth in the global air freight market.”
Situated at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Istanbul is uniquely positioned to serve as a strategic logistics hub. This new facility connects Türkiye with 30 weekly FedEx flights to and from key markets in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East and provides capacity for future network growth through the region. The location further integrates the global FedEx air network into the FedEx road network, one of the largest in the region, linking 45 countries and handling 1.3 million shipments weekly. Istanbul Airport, now Europe's busiest air cargo hub, handled nearly two million tonnes of cargo in 2024, up 24% from the previous year, the release added.
“We're proud to open this new facility, purpose-built to deliver smarter, more efficient logistics solutions for our customers looking to grow globally,” says Eser Sezek, Vice President of Ground Operations, FedEx Türkiye. “By integrating cutting-edge technology and advanced automation, this facility underscores our commitment to building a smarter logistics network and delivering outstanding services for our customers.”
Spanning 25,300 sq. m, the facility consolidates core operations under one roof, including air gateway services, integrated customs clearance, and office support functions. Equipped with advanced technologies such as automated sorting, high-speed security screening, and dangerous goods handling, it delivers three times the previous processing capacity, up to 7,000 packages per hour. To further boost efficiency and safety, the site houses three automated high-speed X-ray machines powered by artificial intelligence, ensuring faster, more accurate, and secure shipment screening.
“FedEx investment at iGA Istanbul Airport is a testament to our rapidly growing reputation as one of the world's best-connected global logistics hubs, as well as Türkiye's rising importance in aviation on the international stage,” says Selahattin Bilgen, Chief Executive Officer, iGA Istanbul Airport. “This major investment strengthens our position as a key player in global cargo and e-commerce operations and supports our long-term vision of becoming a world-leading airport in air cargo, with a targeted handling capacity of over five million tonnes. It's a great pleasure to welcome FedEx as a strategic partner in our ambitious growth plans, and we look forward to building on this collaboration in the months and years ahead.”
Caption for the above image: Abdullah Enis Eker, Chief Manager iGA Istanbul Airport General Directorate of State Airports Authority, Selahattin Bilgen, CEO, iGA Istanbul Airport, M. Ilker Haktankacmaz, Governor of Istanbul Airport, Raj Subramaniam, President and CEO, FedEx Corporation, Richard W. Smith, COO, International and CEO, Airline, FedEx, Eser Sezek, Vice President of Ground Operations, FedEx Türkiye- inaugurating the new FedEx air transit facility in Türkiye at IST airport, highlighting a significant advancement in expanding global logistics and connectivity for FedEx.
