Malatya Erhaç Airport

Malatya Airport, officially known as Malatya Erhaç Airport, sits 34 kilometres west of Malatya city centre in the Merkez district, near the town of Akçadağ. The airport serves as the main air gateway for Turkey's eastern Anatolia region, handling domestic flights to Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. It is a relatively compact facility, built in the 1930s and modernised in the 2000s, with a single terminal building and one runway. The surrounding landscape is defined by the Taurus Mountains to the south and the fertile Malatya Plain, famous for apricot orchards. The airport sees modest passenger traffic, around 1.5 million annually, but its location makes it a useful entry point for travellers exploring eastern Turkey, including the UNESCO-listed Nemrut Dağı.

Getting There

Malatya Airport is located 34 kilometres from Malatya city centre via the D300 highway. The drive takes approximately 35–40 minutes by car or taxi. Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall; the fare to the city centre is around 150–200 Turkish Lira (as of 2025). There is no direct public bus service from the airport to the city. However, some hotels provide shuttle services for guests. Alternatively, travellers can arrange private transfers in advance. For those driving, the airport has a free car park with spaces for 200 vehicles, including designated wheelchair-accessible bays. The road from Malatya is well paved and signed, though rural sections lack lighting at night. Renting a car is possible from agencies inside the terminal, including local and international brands.

For passengers heading to Akçadağ, the airport is only 5 kilometres from the town centre. A taxi to Akçadağ costs around 50 TL and takes 10 minutes. Akçadağ itself is a small agricultural town, not a major destination, but convenient for those with business in the area.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Malatya Airport is a single-storey building with separate arrivals and departures areas on the ground level. The departures hall features a row of check-in desks (approximately 10), a small café, and a duty-free shop selling local apricot products, sweets, and basic travel items. Security screening is efficient but can get busy during peak times. According to airport data, the busiest periods are Monday at 7 am, Tuesday at 10 pm, Wednesday at 8 am, and Thursday at 10 pm. Passengers should arrive at least 90 minutes before domestic flights to allow for queues.

The arrivals area includes a baggage claim carousel and a waiting area. The terminal is fully wheelchair-accessible, with ramps, a wheelchair-accessible entrance, and accessible toilets. There is a changing table in the accessible toilet. Baggage storage is available near the check-in area; rates are around 20 TL per day per bag. Toilets are clean and well maintained, though the terminal can feel cramped during flight departures. Free Wi-Fi is provided with a Turkish mobile number verification. For those without a local SIM, there is a kiosk selling tourist SIM cards in the arrivals hall.

The atmosphere is functional and no-frills. Staff are generally helpful, though English is limited. A single café sells sandwiches, pastries, tea, and coffee. There are no lounges at the airport.

Malatya Airport and Merkez/Akçadağ

Malatya Province, particularly the Merkez district and Akçadağ, offers a rich cultural and historical landscape. Akçadağ itself is a small town with a population of around 30,000, known for its apricot drying yards and traditional stone houses. The region is the heart of Turkey's apricot production — Malatya produces about 80% of the world's dried apricots. Visitors can see apricot orchards covering the plain between the city and the airport.

Malatya city, 34 km east, has a history stretching back to the Hittites. The Malatya Museum houses artefacts from the nearby ancient city of Arslantepe, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating to the 4th millennium BC. Arslantepe is located 7 km northeast of the city centre and is easily reachable by taxi or local bus. The mound features a mudbrick palace with wall paintings and the earliest known swords.

Another major attraction is Nemrut Dağı, a mountain-top tomb sanctuary from the 1st century BC, featuring colossal statues of gods. It is about 110 km south of Malatya, a 2-hour drive. Tours can be arranged from the city. The region also has several thermal springs, such as those in Battalgazi and Darende, popular for health tourism.

For travellers with a layover, the town of Akçadağ offers a glimpse of rural Turkish life. The weekly market on Saturdays sells fresh produce, local cheeses, and textiles. Nearby, the Karakaya Dam Lake provides opportunities for fishing and picnicking, though visitor facilities are basic.

Malatya is also known for its cuisine, especially the Malatya kebab (spiced minced meat) and kayısı tatlısı (apricot dessert). Many restaurants in the city centre serve these specialties. The airport's proximity to both the city and rural areas makes it a convenient base for exploring eastern Anatolia.

Practical Information

Malatya Airport is not open 24 hours. The terminal opens two hours before the first scheduled flight and closes after the last arrival. Flight schedules vary seasonally, so check with Turkish Airlines or Pegasus for exact times. The airport code is MLX. Contact the airport at +90 422 266 00 46 for general inquiries. The official website (https://malatya.dhmi.gov.tr) provides flight information and parking details.

Note that the busiest times are Monday 7 am, Tuesday 10 pm, Wednesday 8 am, and Thursday 10 pm. If flying during these periods, allow extra time for security.

For wheelchair users, the airport is well equipped: accessible entrance, parking, and toilet. Baggage storage is available for 20 TL per day.

One concrete piece of advice: if you have a few hours between flights, take a taxi into Akçadağ (5 km, 50 TL) and walk through the apricot drying yards in the old town — it’s a quiet, authentic experience that the airport’s café cannot match.