Anyone considering a holiday apartment, a second home or an investment property on the Turkish Riviera is right to ask about accessibility. For many buyers, Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport is the obvious arrival point: it lies around 40 kilometres east of Alanya city centre, while the large Antalya Airport is about 125 kilometres away. The 2026 passenger numbers show how heavily Gazipaşa Airport is used – but on their own they do not answer the key question: how well does the flight connection suit your planned use and the location of the property?
For buyers from the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, the number of travellers is not the only thing that matters. Source markets, seasonal flight schedules, connecting options and the distance between the airport, your apartment and the places you want to visit regularly are just as relevant. In this article you will find the latest figures for Gazipaşa Airport in 2026, an assessment of the trend and a practical checklist for choosing your location.
Gazipaşa Airport 2026: the latest passenger numbers
According to data from the Turkish airport authority DHMİ, a total of 730,297 passengers used Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport between January and September 2026. Of these, 413,413 were on international and 316,884 on domestic flights. By the end of October 2026 the figure had risen to 822,145 passengers, meaning that around 92,000 more travellers passed through in October alone.
Compared with the same period last year, this is a decline: from January to September 2025, Gazipaşa Airport still counted 792,849 passengers. That is a drop of around 8 percent. Most of the decline affects international traffic (around minus 10 percent), while domestic traffic fell by only about 4 percent. The number of aircraft movements also decreased, from 5,996 to 5,134 take-offs and landings.
| Gazipaşa Airport (Jan–Sep) | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total passengers | 792.849 | 730.297 | approx. −8% |
| International passengers | 461.713 | 413.413 | approx. −10% |
| Domestic passengers | 331.136 | 316.884 | approx. −4% |
| Aircraft movements | 5.996 | 5.134 | approx. −14% |
Seasonality is particularly clear: from May to September 2026, 573,020 passengers were counted – around 78 percent of the nine-month total. In the winter months the range of flights is much smaller. The official monthly and annual statistics are published by the Turkish airport authority DHMİ.
What the passenger numbers at Gazipaşa Airport tell you
The annual passenger figure first of all shows how many people use the airport within a given period. It includes both arrivals and departures. International and domestic passengers are reported separately. This distinction matters for the property market: a high share of international connections is particularly relevant for foreign owners, while strong domestic traffic mainly strengthens regional connectivity.
At Gazipaşa Airport, the international share in 2026 was just over 56 percent. This shows that the airport is not just a regional airport for domestic travellers, but a real gateway for foreign holidaymakers and property owners on the eastern Riviera.
Monthly figures are helpful, but they are not an annual result. At holiday airports in particular, a large part of the traffic is concentrated in the season. A strong summer month therefore does not allow reliable conclusions about year-round use or future development.
A comparison with the previous year also needs context. New routes, changed aircraft sizes, individual charter programmes or a shifted holiday calendar can noticeably influence the result. Conversely, a lower figure does not automatically mean that a location is losing quality. A flight schedule may simply have been adjusted while the direct connections that matter to you remain unchanged.
Why passenger numbers at Gazipaşa Airport fell in 2026
The decline of around 8 percent does not only affect Gazipaşa. Antalya Airport also recorded just over 30.1 million passengers from January to September 2026, around 3 percent fewer than the previous year. The trend therefore partly reflects a regional development in tourism in Antalya province.
In addition, there are factors that hit smaller airports harder: if an airline reduces a route or moves a charter programme to Antalya, the effect is clearly noticeable at around 800,000 passengers a year. For the 2026/27 winter season, the local press also discussed whether and when the domestic route between Ankara and Gazipaşa Airport would go back on sale.
For you as a buyer, this means: a year with falling numbers is no proof of a worse location. What matters is whether the connections you personally use are offered reliably – and whether Antalya is available as a dependable alternative.
Gazipaşa Airport or Antalya: which route suits you?
The city of Alanya and its surroundings consist of very different residential areas. In eastern districts such as Mahmutlar, Kargıcak or Demirtaş, Gazipaşa Airport is the obvious choice for many journeys: depending on traffic, the drive often takes only 20 to 35 minutes. In western areas such as Avsallar or Konaklı, Antalya Airport can be just as sensible or even more practical, depending on the flights available, your departure airport and travel day.
- Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport: short distances to eastern Alanya, a compact terminal and fast check-in, but fewer connections – especially in winter.
- Antalya Airport: a much wider choice of direct flights from Europe and year-round connections, but a transfer of around two hours to Alanya.
Looking at both airports gives a more realistic picture of the region than looking only at an annual passenger figure. Especially for buyers with flexible travel plans, the combination of both airports is an advantage of the Alanya region.
Passenger numbers alone do not make a property location
For a buyer, the airport is an infrastructure feature, not a value driver of a property in itself. Easy travel can make personal use simpler, make viewings easier and widen the circle of potential future buyers. However, it does not replace a convincing micro-location, complete documents, a functional floor plan or a realistic assessment of the purchase price.
For owner-occupiers, the question is also whether the connection fits the days you want to travel. A direct flight on Saturday is of little help if you mostly want to arrive during the week. Families often pay attention to holiday flight schedules and baggage rules. Buyers who want to use their apartment for several months a year tend to assess the connections in the shoulder seasons. So it all depends on your personal travel profile.
How to check the passenger numbers of Gazipaşa Airport correctly
Before you factor figures into a purchase decision, you should read the underlying data carefully. A headline about rising or falling passenger numbers says less than the statistics behind it. These five points will help:
- Reporting period: does it cover January to September, one quarter or the whole year?
- Counting method: are arriving and departing passengers combined?
- Breakdown: how high is the share of international passengers?
- Connections: are there flights from the regions where you, your family or future buyers travel from?
- Multi-year comparison: how have the figures developed over several years – not just compared with the previous year?
Avoid simple extrapolations. Air traffic does not develop in a straight line. Airlines decide on capacity, load factors and routes season by season. Competition from nearby airports also affects how passengers are distributed. More meaningful than the statement “more passengers” is a picture made up of long-term connectivity, actual travel time and the location quality of the specific property.
What does accessibility mean for personal use and resale?
For an apartment you want to use regularly yourself, practical travel has a direct effect on everyday convenience. Shorter, predictable transfers are especially pleasant if you only come for a long weekend, travel with children or want to arrive as easily as possible in later life. Still, proximity to Gazipaşa Airport should not be the only criterion. An apartment near a busy access road, for example, can bring other disadvantages that need to be checked on site.
For resale, good accessibility generally widens the circle of interested buyers. But it does not automatically lead to higher prices. What remains decisive is whether the property convinces independently of the airport: through a sensible location, a well-maintained complex, a suitable living area, reasonable running costs and complete property documents. Buyers always compare the overall package.
With an investment property, you should be particularly careful with sweeping conclusions. Passenger numbers are no proof of a particular level of rental demand and certainly no guarantee of income. Demand can vary considerably depending on the season, target group, apartment size, furnishings, management and legal framework. If you receive a rental income forecast, you should be able to understand which property-specific assumptions it is based on.
A practical example of checking a location
Let us assume you are looking for a one-bedroom apartment as a holiday home and want to travel from the UK six to eight times a year. Then the total number of passengers is not the first thing that matters, but a quick check of your actual journeys: which departure airports are an option for you? In which months and on which weekdays are there suitable connections to Gazipaşa Airport? How long does the transfer to the complex take under realistic conditions? And would Antalya be an equally good alternative?
For a villa that is mainly used in the summer months by several people, other criteria may carry more weight – such as flight capacity in the high season or how practical it is to travel with a lot of luggage. For a long-term retirement home , on the other hand, the connection outside the holiday season is usually more important than a peak figure in July or August.
These questions can be prepared well before a viewing. On site, the actual location should then be checked: access, surroundings, traffic, views, shopping facilities and the distance to the places you personally want to reach. The airport is part of this check, but not a substitute for it. You can find an overview of current projects in our new-build projects in Alanya.
Which districts benefit most from Gazipaşa Airport
Not every location in Alanya has the same relationship with the airport. As a rule, the further east a property lies, the more Gazipaşa Airport plays to its strengths. It is therefore worth looking at the individual districts when assessing a location.
Mahmutlar is one of the most popular places to live for foreign buyers. It offers a dense infrastructure with supermarkets, restaurants, doctors and a long beach promenade. Because it lies east of the centre, travelling via Gazipaşa Airport is shorter for many owners than the drive from Antalya Airport.
Kargicak lies right next to Mahmutlar and is known above all for newer residential complexes with a pool, fitness area and, in some cases, sea views. Buyers here often appreciate the quieter atmosphere combined with good accessibility. You can find more tips in our guide to buying an apartment in Kargıcak.
Even closer to the airport are Demirtaş and the town of Gazipasa itself. Here the distances to the terminal are particularly short and the surroundings are more rural. For buyers who want to combine peace, nature and quick travel, this can be an interesting alternative to the more densely built-up districts. At the same time, you should check how far shops, doctors and the beach are in everyday life.
Also Kestel, located between the centre and Mahmutlar, also benefits from its proximity to Gazipaşa Airport while remaining close to the city centre. For many buyers, this is a good compromise between travel, city life and the beach.
From Gazipaşa Airport to your apartment: transfer options
The shorter distance is only an advantage if the transfer from Gazipaşa Airport to the apartment works reliably. In practice, there are several options, and what is available can vary with the season.
- Taxi: taxis are usually available at the terminal. For groups or lots of luggage, it is advisable to agree on the vehicle size and fare before the journey.
- Private transfer: many owners are picked up by a regular transfer service. This is particularly convenient for late arrivals or when travelling with children.
- Hire car: several rental companies offer cars at Gazipaşa Airport. A hire car makes sense if you want to view several locations while you are there.
- Shuttles and buses: depending on the season, shuttle or bus services run towards Alanya. The choice is usually greater in summer than in winter.
For owners who rent out their apartment or let friends use it, an easy transfer is also an argument. Guests often look at the total travel time – from departure at home to arrival at the apartment. A location that can be reached in 30 minutes from Gazipaşa Airport can score points here against one with a two-hour transfer.
Planning a viewing trip: checklist for arriving via Gazipaşa Airport
Anyone who wants to buy property in Alanya usually travels there at least once for viewings. Good planning saves time and ensures you gather as many impressions as possible on site. These points have proven themselves in practice:
- Check early whether there are direct flights to Gazipaşa Airport for your travel dates or whether Antalya is the better choice.
- Plan at least three to four full days on site so that you can compare different districts and properties.
- If possible, view apartments at different times of day to realistically assess light, traffic and noise.
- Drive the route between the airport and the complex once on purpose and note the actual travel time.
- Prepare the most important documents, such as your passport, and questions about the tapu (title deed), building permit and running costs.
If you send us your travel dates in advance, we will arrange the viewing appointments around your arrival at Gazipaşa Airport or in Antalya. This way you can make the most of your time on site and compare the location of each property directly with your personal journey.
What does this trend mean for property in eastern Alanya?
Many buyers ask whether falling passenger numbers at Gazipaşa Airport have a direct impact on property prices in Mahmutlar, Kargıcak or Gazipaşa. There is no simple answer. Property prices depend on many factors: the supply of new builds, demand from Turkey and abroad, construction costs, exchange rates, interest rates and the quality of the individual complex. The airport is one building block in this overall picture, but rarely the decisive one.
The long-term perspective is more important than a single year. Gazipaşa Airport is a permanent piece of infrastructure for the eastern part of the region that handles hundreds of thousands of travellers even in a weaker year. For owners, the advantage of short distances therefore remains. Anyone buying today should focus less on short-term fluctuations in passenger numbers and more on location, build quality, management of the complex and a realistic purchase price compared with similar properties.
For investors, there is an additional point: rental demand depends heavily on the season and target group. An easily accessible apartment near the beach may be in demand in summer, while long-term tenants are more likely in winter. So plan with cautious assumptions and ask for a clear explanation of the figures for any property.
Frequently asked questions about Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport
How far is Gazipaşa Airport from Alanya?
Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport is located around 40 kilometres east of Alanya city centre. The distance to Mahmutlar or Kargıcak is shorter, and to Avsallar or Konaklı in the west correspondingly longer.
How many passengers did Gazipaşa Airport have in 2026?
From January to October 2026 there were 822,145 passengers according to DHMİ. From January to September there were 730,297, around 8 percent fewer than in the same period of the previous year.
Is Gazipaşa Airport open all year round?
Yes, Gazipaşa Airport is open all year round. However, the range of international connections is highly seasonal and much smaller in winter than in summer.
What is the alternative to Gazipaşa Airport?
The main alternative is Antalya Airport, around 125 kilometres west of Alanya. It offers many more international connections, but the transfer to Alanya takes about two hours.
Should I choose a property based on its proximity to the airport?
Being close to the airport is a plus, but not the only reason to buy. Location, build quality, documents and price are at least as important.
Conclusion: how buyers should use the figures for Gazipaşa Airport
The 2026 passenger numbers of Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport are a useful indicator of regional accessibility. They show that, with more than 800,000 passengers by October, the airport plays an important role for eastern Alanya – even though 2026 was weaker than 2025. When choosing a property, however, the figures should always be assessed together with the flight schedule, the season, the alternative of Antalya Airport and the specific location.
When you compare properties in Alanya, we help you factor travel realistically into your choice of location – based on your use, your preferred travel times and the documents of each property. This way the airport remains a clearly measurable advantage rather than an assumption on which a purchase rests alone.
