Business · Companies · 10 hrs ago
Turkish Airlines' third-quarter revenue rises as fuel costs squeeze margins
Turkish Airlines raised third-quarter revenue 19.3% to $8.3 billion in 2026, helped by passenger demand and cargo activity.
The airline carried 28.5 million passengers during the July-to-September quarter, 4.7% more than a year earlier.
Passenger revenue rose 15.4% to $6.8 billion, while cargo revenue climbed 45.6% to $1.23 billion.
But net income fell 6.4% to $1.29 billion, despite revenue growth.
Jet fuel costs rose 58.5% to $2.61 billion, squeezing the airline’s profit margin.
For the first nine months of 2026, revenue increased 20.2% to $21.42 billion, while net income fell 15.4% to $1.71 billion.
The company lowered its 2026 capacity growth target from 10% as costs rose, but no further next steps were reported.
Turkish Airlines reported third-quarter 2026 net income of $1.29 billion, down 6.4 percent from a year earlier.
Revenue rose 19.3 percent year-on-year to $8.30 billion, supported by passenger demand and cargo activity.
Fuel expenses increased 58.5 percent to $2.61 billion, while the EBITDAR margin narrowed to 25.4 percent.
The airline carried 28.5 million passengers in the quarter, up 4.7 percent, and its passenger load factor rose to 87.1 percent.
Cargo revenue increased 45.6 percent to $1.23 billion.
- Who
- Turkish Airlines.
- What
- It reported $1.29 billion in third-quarter net income, down 6.4 percent year-on-year, as revenue rose to $8.30 billion.
- When
- The results cover the third quarter of 2026, from July to September. They were reported on November 4, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Higher fuel costs and inflation pressured profitability, while passenger demand and cargo activity supported revenue growth.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Turkish Airlines carried 28.5 million passengers and reported $8.30 billion in revenue and $1.29 billion in net income.
Turkish Airlines’ third-quarter results were reported by the cited outlets.
- Third-quarter revenue
- $8.30 billion, up 19.3 percent year-on-year
- Third-quarter net income
- $1.29 billion, down 6.4 percent
- Third-quarter fuel expenses
- $2.61 billion, up 58.5 percent year-on-year
- Passengers carried
- 28.5 million, up 4.7 percent
- Passenger load factor
- 87.1 percent
- Cargo revenue
- $1.23 billion, up 45.6 percent
3 sources
What people are saying
The war in the Middle East and the high level of jet fuel prices put significant pressure on the global aviation sector in the third quarter.
In this environment, our partnership maintained its focus on operational efficiency and cost discipline while continuing to adapt to changing demand conditions by taking advantage of the opportunities offered by its extensive flight network.