Trabzon Airport (IATA: TZX, ICAO: LTCG) is the primary aviation gateway to Turkey’s eastern Black Sea region. Opened in 1957, it serves the historic city of Trabzon and has grown into a bustling hub that handles nearly 4 million passengers annually. This article provides a comprehensive overview of its history, infrastructure, and operational details.
Key Airport Information
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| IATA Code | TZX |
| ICAO Code | LTCG |
| Opened | 1957 |
| Operator | General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMI) |
| Location | ~6 km from Trabzon city center |
| Elevation | 104 ft / 32 m |
| Runway | 11/29: 2,640 m x 45 m (Asphalt) |
| Annual Capacity | 4,000,000 passengers |
| 2025 Passengers | 3,874,640 (+6% from 2024) |
Historical Background & Development
Trabzon Airport was established in 1957 as the first airport in the eastern Black Sea region. Its location is uniquely positioned along the coastline—one of the few airports in Turkey where the runway runs parallel to the sea, limited by the Black Sea to the north and the Pontic Mountains to the south.
Significant expansion occurred after 2000:
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2008: A new domestic terminal with an annual capacity of 2 million passengers was opened.
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2011: Aircraft parking capacity increased from 11 to 17 positions.
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2020: The entire runway surface was renewed during the pandemic.
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2024: A new international arrivals terminal (3,077 m²) and a CIP (Commercial Important Person) lounge (860 m²) were inaugurated, alongside a new 100-meter connection road.
Future Plans: A New Airport
Due to the current site’s geographical constraints limiting expansion, the Turkish government has announced plans to build a new airport slightly to the north of the existing one. Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu confirmed that the current 2,640-meter runway will soon be insufficient, necessitating a larger facility to accommodate future growth and the increasing number of flights.
Airlines and Destinations
Trabzon Airport serves as an operating base for Pegasus Airlines and hosts 22 airlines flying to 34 destinations across 13 countries.
Major Airlines Operating at TZX
| Airline | Key Destinations |
|---|---|
| Pegasus Airlines | Istanbul-Sabiha Gökçen, Izmir, Antalya, Düsseldorf |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul |
| AJet (AnadoluJet) | Ankara, Istanbul-Sabiha Gökçen |
| SunExpress | Izmir, Antalya, Düsseldorf |
| Flynas | Seasonal: Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh |
International Connections
The airport offers connections to key destinations in the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia:
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Gulf Region: Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Flydubai), Sharjah (Air Arabia), Kuwait City (Jazeera/Kuwait Airways), Bahrain (Gulf Air), Muscat (Oman Air/SalamAir), and various Saudi cities.
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Europe: Düsseldorf, Munich, Cologne/Bonn, and other seasonal routes.
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Central Asia: Baku (Azerbaijan Airlines), Tashkent (Centrum Air/Qanot Sharq), and Dushanbe (Somon Air).
Passenger Statistics & Infrastructure
Traffic Trends
The airport has seen significant growth, although the COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary dip. Passenger numbers peaked at over 4.1 million in 2017 before recovering to 3.87 million in 2025.
Passenger Traffic Overview:
| Year | Total Passengers | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3,874,640 | +6% |
| 2024 | 3,655,579 | +3% |
| 2023 | 3,535,902 | +11% |
| 2022 | 3,185,229 | +21% |
| 2019 | 3,770,818 | +6% |
| 2017 | 4,148,929 | +12% |
Source: State Airports Authority data
Terminal Facilities
Trabzon Airport features separate domestic and international terminals with modern amenities:
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Shopping & Dining: Duty-free shops, retail outlets, and cafes.
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Services: Free Wi-Fi, VIP/CIP lounges, prayer rooms, children’s play area, and a health center.
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Accessibility: Wheelchair assistance and disabled parking are available.
Getting to and from the Airport
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Taxi: A taxi to the city center costs approximately 50-65 Turkish Lira and takes 8-10 minutes.
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Bus: Local buses provide economical service to central points like Trabzon Meydan Parkı, with a travel time of 10-15 minutes.
Safety and Notable Incidents
Trabzon Airport has been the site of several notable incidents:
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13 January 2018: A Pegasus Airlines Boeing 737-800 veered off the runway while landing in wet conditions. All 168 passengers and crew evacuated safely without serious injuries.
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26 May 2003: A Ukrainian-Mediterranean Airlines Yakovlev Yak-42 crashed into a mountain during a second approach in poor visibility, killing all 75 on board.
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20 May 1989: A Soviet pilot, Alexander Zuyev, defected by flying his MiG-29 fighter jet to Trabzon Airport.