Federal Express Corporation, one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, today announced the official inauguration of 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.
Credit: FedEx
Abdullah Enis Eker, Chief Manager iGA Istanbul Airport General Directorate of State Airports Authority, Selahattin Bilgen, chief executive officer, iGA Istanbul Airport, M. Ilker Haktankacmaz, Governor of Istanbul Airport, Raj Subramaniam, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Corporation; Richard W. Smith, chief operating officer, International and chief executive officer, 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.
Ceremony attendees included Raj Subramaniam, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Corporation; Richard W. Smith, chief operating officer, International and chief executive officer, Airline, FedEx; Wouter Roels, president, FedEx Europe; Eser Sezek, vice president of ground operations, FedEx Türkiye, M. Ilker Haktankacmaz, Governor of Istanbul Airport, Abdullah Enis Eker, Chief Manager of Istanbul Airport General Directorate of State Airports Authority, Burhan Akyol, General Directorate of Civil Aviation Istanbul Representative, Selahattin Bilgen, chief executive officer, iGA Istanbul Airport and other esteemed authority representatives.
Operational since August 2025, the state-of-the-art facility represents a significant, long-term investment into the site. It strengthens the FedEx global network and underscores the company’s commitment to enabling global trade through advanced logistics infrastructure and cutting-edge 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.” said Smith. “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.”
A strategic crossroads for global trade
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 tons of cargo in 2024, up 24% from the previous year.
The 25,300 sq. m facility brings together key operations under one roof, including air gateway functions, integrated customs clearance teams, and essential office support. The facility features technologies such as an automated sorting system, high-speed security screening, and capabilities to handle dangerous goods. With three times the previous sorting capacity, it can process up to 7,000 packages per hour, significantly increasing volume management. Additionally, three automated high-speed x-ray machines equipped with artificial intelligence further enhance the speed, accuracy, and security of shipment screening.
“We’re proud to open this new facility, purpose-built to deliver smarter, more efficient logistics solutions for our customers looking to grow globally.” said Sezek. “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.”
“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,” said Bilgen. “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 tons. 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.”