• Turkish Cargo is expanding its SMARTIST cargo hub at Istanbul Airport, increasing annual handling capacity from 2.0 million tonnes to 4.5 million tonnes to meet growing global demand and reinforce Istanbul’s position as a leading international air cargo gateway.
• Lödige Industries has been selected to deliver the next phase of automation, building on the fully automated systems installed in 2021 with new technology designed to improve cargo handling efficiency, accelerate turnaround times and support operations across the 370,000 sq m facility.
• Turkish Cargo says the investment is focused on long-term operational excellence, enabling it to handle higher cargo volumes while maintaining service quality through advanced automation and intelligent logistics infrastructure.

Turkish Cargo is taking the next major step in expanding SMARTIST, its cutting-edge cargo hub at Istanbul Airport. With this strategic investment, annual handling capacity will more than double from 2.0 million tons to 4.5 million tons, allowing Turkish Cargo to meet growing global demand while ensuring fast, efficient, and high-quality cargo handling for its customers. The expansion consolidates Istanbul’s position as a leading global air cargo gateway. Lödige Industries, which already equipped the existing terminal with fully automated cargo handling systems, has once again been selected as the technology partner for this major project. 

Building on the fully automated systems Lödige Industries delivered for Phase 1 in 2021, SMARTIST 2.0 integrates the latest automation and digital technologies to further optimize operational efficiency and elevate service quality for Turkish Cargo’s customers. The initial phase established the technological foundation and has been instrumental in positioning Istanbul as Europe’s leading air cargo hub and a global benchmark for advanced cargo handling.

SMARTIST 2.0 represents the next significant milestone in the evolution of one of the world’s largest cargo facilities, spanning a total of 370,000 square meters closed area. Designed for maximum automation, the innovative systems enable seamless storage and retrieval of Unit Load Devices (ULDs) and In-House Pallets, allowing significantly faster turnaround times while managing a very complex logistical process.

“With SMARTIST 2.0, Turkish Cargo’s ambition goes far beyond adding capacity. We continue to strengthen our role in global air freight through intelligent infrastructure. The next-generation cargo facility allows us to manage growing volumes without disrupting our operational flow, ensuring a uninterrupted service quality for our customers worldwide. This approach is supported by Lödige Industries’ expertise in advanced cargo handling systems,” says Murat Yalçın KIRCA, Cargo Operations (Global) Vice President at Turkish Cargo.

“With this flagship project, Turkish Cargo is further strengthening its cargo capabilities at what is likely the world’s most dynamically growing airport. We are extremely proud that they have placed their trust in our expertise once again. This project underlines our commitment to supporting Turkish Cargo’s growth while ensuring the highest standards of automation and operational excellence,” says Björn Ussat, Director Airport Logistic Solutions at Lödige Industries.

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