Turkish Cargo Doubles Istanbul Hub Capacity to 4.5M Tons

Turkish Cargo is moving forward with a major expansion of its SMARTIST cargo facility at Istanbul Airport, more than doubling annual handling capacity from 2.0 million tons to 4.5 million tons. The carrier has again selected Lödige Industries to deploy fully automated cargo handling systems for the project, known as SMARTIST 2.0, according to details first reported by Asian Aviation.

The expansion represents a significant infrastructure investment aimed at meeting rising global air freight demand while maintaining operational speed and service quality. Istanbul Airport's cargo operations already handle substantial volumes, and the additional capacity positions the hub to compete more aggressively with established European and Middle Eastern gateways.

Why it matters

Air cargo capacity constraints have been a persistent challenge across major hubs, particularly as e-commerce and express shipments drive volume growth. Turkish Cargo's decision to invest in automation rather than simply adding manual handling space reflects a broader industry shift toward technology-enabled throughput. The expansion also signals Turkey's strategic positioning as a bridge between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East in global logistics networks.

Building on proven automation

Lödige Industries originally equipped the SMARTIST facility with automated systems in 2021 during Phase 1. That initial deployment established the technological foundation that helped position Istanbul as what Turkish Cargo describes as Europe's leading air cargo hub. The German automation specialist will now integrate what the companies characterize as the latest generation of automation and digital technologies for Phase 2.

The SMARTIST 2.0 facility will span 370,000 square meters of enclosed space. The automated systems are designed to handle storage and retrieval of Unit Load Devices (ULDs) and in-house pallets, enabling faster turnaround times while managing complex logistics workflows.

"With SMARTIST 2.0, Turkish Cargo's ambition goes far beyond adding capacity," said Murat Yalçın Kırca, Cargo Operations (Global) Vice President at Turkish Cargo. "We continue to strengthen our role in global air freight through intelligent infrastructure. The next-generation cargo facility allows us to manage growing volumes without disrupting our operational flow."

Strategic partnership continues

The repeat engagement with Lödige Industries underscores Turkish Cargo's confidence in the automation provider's systems and the operational results achieved since 2021. Björn Ussat, Director of Airport Logistic Solutions at Lödige Industries, noted that the project reflects the company's commitment to supporting Turkish Cargo's growth trajectory while maintaining high standards for automation and operational performance.

The expansion comes as Istanbul Airport itself continues rapid development. Opened in 2018, the airport has quickly scaled operations and now ranks among the world's busiest by passenger traffic. The cargo infrastructure investment aligns with Turkey's broader ambitions to establish Istanbul as a primary logistics node connecting three continents.

These details were first reported by Asian Aviation.