The Level of Concentration at Airports in terms of International Freight and Cargo Transportation in Türkiye

Despite the increase in competition in the aviation sector, which was a monopoly in most parts of the world until the 1980s, the deregulation measures implemented since the 1980s have paved the way for the emergence of oligopolistic structures in the aviation sector in many countries, including Türkiye, in a short period as a result of market dynamics. This study examines the market concentration in international freight and cargo transport in the context of the global development of the airline industry and the liberalization process in Türkiye. Based on data for the periods 2009-2024 and 2013-2024, the analysis using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) shows that Ataturk and Istanbul airports play a dominant role in international freight transport, while this pressure shifts to Istanbul airport after 2019. As a result, it is important to implement strategic policy recommendations such as increasing regional diversity and creating alternative logistics centres, as high market density poses risks in terms of reduced competition, lower service quality, infrastructure and urban planning.