With decades of experience shaping the logistics and supply chain industry, Rohit Laila possesses a unique vantage point on the forces driving global air cargo. His passion for technology and innovation offers a compelling lens through which to view the ambitious moves being made by major players. We sit down with him to discuss Turkish Airlines’ monumental investment plans, the strategic importance of its Istanbul hub, and what this means for the future of air freight in Europe. The conversation delves into the operational nuts and bolts of expanding a massive fleet and infrastructure, the market dynamics fueling record growth, and the collaborative strategies that are redefining the competitive landscape.
Turkish Airlines has announced a massive $2.3 billion investment for a new cargo terminal. Could you break down how this significant capital outlay fits into the broader 2033 Vision, and what practical milestones we should be watching for as this project unfolds?
This $2.3 billion investment is the very foundation upon which their 2033 Vision is built. You can’t plan to expand your total fleet to 813 aircraft, with the freighter component growing to 44 units, without having a place to handle the immense volume that comes with it. This new terminal isn’t just about adding warehouse space; it’s about building a high-velocity, technologically advanced ecosystem capable of processing millions of tons of cargo efficiently. In terms of milestones, the first critical step is the official location announcement, which we all strongly suspect will be at iGA Istanbul Airport. Following that, we should look for the groundbreaking, and then the phased operational launches. You don’t just flip a switch on a facility this size; you bring it online section by section to ensure a seamless integration with existing operations.
Speaking of iGA Istanbul Airport, its 24% year-on-year growth has already made it Europe’s top cargo hub. From a logistics standpoint, what specific advantages does this location offer, and can you walk us through the complexities of integrating a new mega-terminal into such a dynamic and busy environment?
The primary advantage of iGA is its incredible density and existing momentum. That 24% growth to nearly 2 million tonnes isn’t an accident; it’s the result of a powerful confluence of 111 passenger airlines and dozens of dedicated cargo carriers already operating there. Critically, it’s also home to the big three global integrators—DHL, FedEx, and UPS. This creates a powerful ‘gravity’ for cargo. Integrating the new terminal is like performing surgery on a world-class athlete in the middle of a race. It requires meticulous planning to choreograph ground movements, slot allocations, and IT system handoffs so that the current high-tempo operations continue without a hitch while the new infrastructure is brought online. It’s a massive logistical challenge, but one that Istanbul has proven it can handle.
As Turkish Cargo’s freighter fleet expands, with new Boeing 777s recently coming online, how does this specific aircraft type fundamentally enhance your network capabilities? Can you give us a sense of how the 777’s unique capacity has created new commercial opportunities?
The Boeing 777 freighter is a genuine game-changer for any fleet. It’s all about range and volume. This aircraft allows Turkish Cargo to connect continents with fewer, if any, technical stops, which is a massive win for time-sensitive goods. Its sheer capacity opens up markets that were previously difficult to serve profitably. For instance, you can suddenly bid on large-scale industrial or pharmaceutical shipments that require both temperature control and significant cubic space. I recall a situation where a carrier was able to secure a major automotive parts contract from Asia to Europe purely because the 777’s payload and wide cargo door could accommodate oversized, high-value components that simply wouldn’t fit on other aircraft in their fleet. That’s the kind of tangible market advantage the 777 delivers.
Turkish Cargo handled over 2 million tons in 2024, a remarkable 20% increase. What were the key market forces driving this surge, and how does having the three global integrators as neighbors at your hub shape your operational strategy?
That 20% growth is phenomenal, and it’s fueled by a combination of a rebounding global trade market, the boom in e-commerce, and Turkish Cargo’s strategic positioning as a key east-west conduit. They are perfectly placed to capture a significant share of traffic flowing between Asia, Europe, and Africa. Having DHL, FedEx, and UPS co-located is a strategic masterstroke. It transforms the hub from a simple transit point into a collaborative logistics ecosystem. This allows for seamless interlining, where cargo can be transferred from a Turkish Airlines long-haul flight directly into an integrator’s final-mile delivery network, and vice-versa. It creates a powerful synergy, driving up volume for everyone involved and offering customers a truly integrated, end-to-end service.
What is your forecast for the competitive landscape of European air cargo over the next five years, given these major infrastructure and fleet investments?
I foresee a period of intense competition, but also one of consolidation around a few mega-hubs. Investments of this scale from Turkish Airlines will put immense pressure on other established European airports to innovate or risk losing market share. The competitive battle will shift from being purely about price to being about speed, technological integration, and the completeness of the logistics ecosystem offered. Hubs like Istanbul, which are investing heavily in both physical infrastructure and digital platforms to create a seamless flow of goods, are setting a new standard. Those that fail to keep pace with these investments in capacity and technology will find it increasingly difficult to compete over the next five years. The future belongs to the hubs that can offer a complete, efficient, and interconnected solution.
