Turkish Airlines Air Cargo — Freight Services, Routes & Rates
Description
Turkish Airlines Air Cargo — Global Freight Network
Turkish Airlines (IATA: TK, ICAO: THY) operates one of the world’s largest cargo networks from its hub at Istanbul Airport (IST). With Turkish Cargo as its dedicated freight division, the airline serves 82 countries across 156 route pairs through 174 airports worldwide. Turkish Airlines handles approximately 797 scheduled cargo flights weekly, making it one of Europe’s top air cargo carriers. Istanbul’s strategic position between Europe, Asia, and Africa gives Turkish Cargo a unique geographic advantage for intercontinental freight.
Turkish Cargo offers temperature-controlled solutions for pharmaceuticals and perishables, special handling for oversized and heavy cargo, live animal transport, and dangerous goods services. The airline’s cargo terminal at Istanbul Airport (IST) is one of the largest in Europe, with capacity exceeding 4 million tonnes annually.
Turkish Airlines Cargo Routes
| Route | Departure Airports | Arrival Airports | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey → Germany | IST | BER, CGN, FRA | 14 |
| Germany → Turkey | BER, BRE, CGN | IST, SAW | 13 |
| Turkey → United States | IST | BOS, EWR, IAH | 13 |
| Italy → Turkey | BLQ, CTA, FCO | IST | 12 |
| United States → Turkey | ATL, BOS, IAH | IST | 10 |
| Turkey → Russia | IST | AER, KRR, KUF | 10 |
| Turkey → Ukraine | IST | KBP, LWO, ODS | 9 |
| Turkey → Italy | IST | BLQ, CTA, FCO | 9 |
| Turkey → Spain | IST | AGP, BCN, BIO | 8 |
| Georgia → Turkey | BUS, TBS | IST, SAW | 8 |
| Turkey → Georgia | IST, SAW | BUS, TBS | 8 |
| Ukraine → Turkey | KBP, LWO, ODS | IST | 8 |
| Turkey → UAE | IST, SAW | AUH, DXB, SHJ | 7 |
| UAE → Turkey | AUH, DXB, SHJ | IST, SAW | 7 |
| Turkey → France | IST | BOD, CDG, LYS | 7 |
| Spain → Turkey | AGP, BCN, MAD | IST | 6 |
| Russia → Turkey | AER, KRR, KUF | IST | 6 |
| France → Turkey | BSL, CDG, MRS | IST, SAW | 6 |
| Turkey → Kazakhstan | IST | ALA, NQZ, TSE | 5 |
| Netherlands → Turkey | AMS | AYT, IST, SAW | 5 |
| Greece → Turkey | ATH, SKG | IST | 5 |
| Bulgaria → Turkey | SOF, VAR | IST | 5 |
| Romania → Turkey | CLJ, CND, OTP | IST | 5 |
| Turkey → Greece | IST | ATH, SKG | 5 |
| Turkey → Israel | IST | TLV | 5 |
| Poland → Turkey | WAW | AYT, IST | 4 |
| Lithuania → Turkey | KUN, VNO | IST | 4 |
| Thailand → Turkey | BKK, HKT | IST | 4 |
Main Cargo Hubs & Airports
Turkish Airlines operates cargo services through 174 airports. The primary hub is Istanbul Airport (IST), with secondary hubs at Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) and Esenboğa Ankara (ESB).
IST – Istanbul Airport · ESB – Esenboğa · SAW – Sabiha Gökçen · LGW – London Gatwick · WAW – Warsaw Chopin · AMS – Amsterdam Schiphol · AYT – Antalya · VNO – Vilnius · RIX – Riga · TBS – Tbilisi · AUH – Abu Dhabi · BKK – Bangkok Suvarnabhumi · ATH – Athens · SOF – Sofia · DUB – Dublin · OTP – Bucharest · DXB – Dubai · GYD – Baku · FRA – Frankfurt · BCN – Barcelona
Countries Served
Turkish Airlines Cargo connects 82 countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Cargo Rates & Pricing
Turkish Airlines cargo rates vary by route, season, and cargo type. Typical ranges:
- Europe – Turkey: €2.50–€4.50/kg (standard cargo)
- Turkey – Middle East: €3.00–€5.50/kg
- Turkey – Asia: €3.50–€7.00/kg
- Turkey – Americas: €4.00–€8.50/kg
- Turkey – Africa: €3.50–€6.50/kg
Rates depend on chargeable weight (actual vs. volumetric), cargo class, and service level. Use our freight calculator for a quick estimate, or request a precise quote.
Get Turkish Airlines Cargo Rates
Need freight rates for a Turkish Airlines route? We provide competitive quotes for all TK cargo destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Turkish Airlines cargo capacity?
Turkish Airlines operates a mixed fleet of wide-body aircraft including Boeing 777F freighters and Airbus A330-200F freighters, plus belly cargo on passenger flights. Turkish Cargo’s Istanbul hub can handle over 4 million tonnes per year, making it one of Europe’s largest cargo terminals.
Does Turkish Airlines ship to all 82 countries?
Yes, Turkish Airlines Cargo serves 82 countries through 174 airports worldwide. Coverage is especially strong in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa — regions where Istanbul’s geographic position offers the shortest transit times.
How long does Turkish Airlines air freight take?
Transit times depend on route: Turkey to Europe typically 1–2 days, Turkey to Middle East 1 day, Turkey to Asia 2–4 days, Turkey to the Americas 2–3 days. Direct freighter routes offer faster transit than connections routed through Istanbul.
Can I ship dangerous goods with Turkish Airlines?
Yes, Turkish Cargo accepts dangerous goods (DG) on most routes, subject to IATA DGR regulations and specific route restrictions. DG shipments require proper documentation, packaging, and labeling. Contact us for DG rate quotes.
What special cargo services does Turkish Airlines offer?
Turkish Cargo provides specialized services including TK Fresh (perishables), TK Pharma (pharmaceuticals with GDP compliance), TK Live (live animals), TK Safe (valuable cargo), and TK Art (fine art and antiques). Each service has specific handling requirements and pricing.
Disclaimer: Rates and schedules shown are indicative and subject to change. Actual pricing depends on cargo specifications, season, and availability. Contact us for current rates. Data updated April 2026.