According to the data from the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMİ), domestic air cargo traffic in Türkiye’s airports reached 329,668 tons in the January–May 2025 period, increasing by 1.3 percent year-on-year.

International cargo traffic rose by 6 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching 1,539,714 tons. Thus, total cargo traffic in the first five months increased by 5.1 percent year-on-year to 1,869,382 tons.

“Türkiye is Advancing Toward Becoming a Transit Hub”

Serkan Eren, President of the International Transport and Logistics Service Providers Association, stated that Türkiye has entered a new phase in air cargo transportation driven by e-commerce.

Eren said: “E-commerce has gained significant momentum. Traditional airport-to-airport transportation in air cargo is now being replaced by door-to-door deliveries. This resembles the courier services that companies like DHL and UPS have been offering for years, but it’s transforming into a larger-scale model managed by exporters themselves.”

Highlighting Türkiye’s key role in this transformation, Eren pointed to the facilities that FedEx and Trendyol will establish at Istanbul Airport as concrete examples. “Thanks to strong airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Türkiye is advancing toward becoming a transit hub. E-commerce shipments are creating significant traffic both to our country and to Europe,” he said.

“Türkiye Has Become a Transit Point for Air Cargo Traffic”

Eren emphasized that with the expansion of China-based e-commerce platforms such as Temu into the European market, Türkiye has become one of the transit points in air cargo traffic. “In the past, ordering from China would mean waiting for a month. Now, deliveries are made in 3–5 days. This makes air cargo much more attractive,” he said.

Despite the rapid growth of e-commerce, Eren pointed out the challenges in air cargo capacity: “If you want to buy an aircraft, you need to wait 5–6 years. This puts pressure on the supply-demand balance. Therefore, flexible solutions and air-road combinations are becoming increasingly important,” he added.

With the support of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), aviation technology company LODD and investment holding firm 7X, which operates in the transport and logistics sectors, carried out the first test flight for autonomous drone deliveries in the emirate. LODD and 7X aim to continue collaborating with regulators and industry stakeholders to develop procedures, ensure legal compliance, and gather operational insights for broader deployment.

During the inaugural test flight in Khalifa City, a drone successfully delivered a simulated package, collected from a local post office, to a designated drop-off point using a crane-like mechanism.

Drone Delivery Project Aims to Develop Smart and Integrated Mobility Solutions

The project, launched as part of the strategy of ADIO’s Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), aims to foster the development and adoption of smart and integrated mobility solutions in Abu Dhabi. It also forms part of a broader strategy for implementing smart transportation systems through ADIO’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster.

This pilot project represents the first phase of a wider strategy to roll out drone-based logistics services across Abu Dhabi. Thanks to its progressive regulations and infrastructure readiness, the emirate is emerging as a leader in autonomous air transportation in the region.

“Drones Are Transforming Urban Delivery Networks”

Omran Malek, Head of ADIO’s SAVI Cluster, said: “At ADIO, we take pride in leading the development of advanced logistics technologies that will position Abu Dhabi as a global hub of innovation. This pilot project is a strong example of forward-thinking strategies and local partnerships that deliver long-term economic and infrastructural value.”

LODD CEO Rashid Al Manai stated, “Autonomous drones are transforming urban delivery networks. A single operator managing multiple deliveries simultaneously brings a new level of scalability and agility to the logistics chain. We are proud to collaborate with 7X, ADIO, the GCAA, and the Integrated Transport Centre to develop this technology in the UAE.”

Tariq Al Wahedi, CEO of 7X Group, added, “This milestone reflects our commitment to developing next-generation logistics solutions aligned with the UAE’s smart mobility vision. By integrating autonomous aerial technology into EMX’s national logistics ecosystem, we are enhancing operational reach and speed while building a more flexible and future-ready network.”

Sürat Kargo‘s General Manager Cem Oğuz, noting the rapid growth of the cargo and transportation sector in Türkiye, particularly with the rise of e-commerce that began during the pandemic, referred to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) 2024 report, which shows that the rate of individuals purchasing or ordering goods and services online (e-commerce) rose from 49.5% in 2023 to 51.7% in 2024.

Pointing out that approximately 5 million households in Türkiye receive cargo deliveries daily, Oğuz stated, “The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% over the next five years. In this context, we are producing special solutions for e-commerce companies, our most important customer group, in collaboration with our professional consultants and partners, offering services both domestically and internationally. From dedicated customer service representatives to technology consultants, we provide support in every area.”

Investments Continue

Sürat Kargo, which increased its volume by 28% and its revenue by 40% in the second half of 2024 compared to the first half, aims to continue this growth into 2025 and maintain its investment efforts. Cem Oğuz provided the following information:

“We continued our investments in automatic parcel sorters and the next-generation software we developed entirely in-house throughout 2024. We will soon see the positive results of these investments. In 2025, we will continue to increase our sorter inventory with the most advanced technology products developed by international firms. We will be the first company in Türkiye to use our new sorters, with the number of sorters rising from 6 to 10. Our goal is to position Sürat Kargo as the brand that uses and leads the industry with the latest technologies.”

Growth in Global Markets

Evaluating the global cargo and transportation sector, Cem Oğuz stated, “E-commerce accounts for more than 80% of our total business volume, and its share in the market is continually increasing. The global logistics and transportation market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.7% until 2030, reaching a volume of approximately $13 trillion by 2030.

While the share of e-commerce in total trade in developed European countries is around 30%, in Türkiye, this figure exceeds 20%. A 1% increase in e-commerce corresponds to about a 10% volume growth in the cargo sector. Accordingly, the sector is expected to grow by an average of 10-11% annually over the next 10 years, reaching a volume of $5.2 billion by the end of the decade.

With technological innovations, sustainable logistics solutions, and our ability to respond quickly to customer needs, we will lead this growth. Türkiye’s geographical location is uniquely positioned for international trade. Moreover, we have a population well-versed in manufacturing and service delivery. By combining these two key factors, we can seize significant international business opportunities. As Sürat Kargo, we will continue to increase our international activities, especially in neighboring geographies, by offering the most suitable solutions to these needs.”

Daily Cargo Delivery Exceeding 400,000

Sürat Kargo’s General Manager Cem Oğuz, noting that they handle an average of 400,000 parcels daily, and up to 750,000 parcels on busy days, stated that the number of employees has increased by about 40% compared to pre-pandemic levels.

He continued, “As in every sector, human resources management is critical in the cargo sector. We create a working environment that maximizes our employees’ potential. We support our employees with in-service training and closely monitor their development through performance evaluation systems. This approach distinguishes our company in the competitive market by ensuring customer satisfaction.”

“We Have Agreements With Traders Across Every Corner Of Türkiye”

Cem Oğuz stated that a few years ago, 80% of the calls to the call center were inquiries such as “Where is my package?” He explained that today, every piece of information is sent to customers in real-time, and cargo tracking can be done via smartphones. “Even if our customer is not at home, they can pick up their package from the trader locations or smart parcel lockers we are partnered with. As Sürat Kargo, we work with partnered traders or automated parcel lockers in every corner of Türkiye.

We call these ‘Süratli Trader Points.’ Our alternative service points are spreading rapidly based on a ‘win-win’ need. This allows the customer to receive their parcel at their convenience, without having to wait for delivery. Regulations in this area have also opened new opportunities; now, these points can be used not only for deliveries but also for sending cargo,” he said.

During the digitalization process, Oğuz added that a link sent to people waiting for their cargo now also includes the courier’s photo and vehicle information, which is crucial for security. “Our couriers take a photo of themselves every morning before setting out and share it on the Sürat Service Platform. Our customers can also track their parcels through this platform.

This is part of our digitization efforts. Also, the requirement for collecting identity numbers and signatures, which was mandatory until recently, has been eliminated. Digitalization and technological advancements are also advancing from a regulatory perspective. Now, instead of collecting signatures as proof of delivery, we resolve this with message confirmations, protecting our customers’ personal information.”