Istanbul Ataturk Airport: A Sprawling Transport Hub

Istanbul Airport is the main international airport serving Istanbul, Turkey. It is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city and is considered a huge achievement of the Turkish government. The airport officially opened on 29 October 2018, with the first flight taking off on 31 October 2018. As of April 2019, all passenger flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport were transferred to the new airport, which now handles over 200 million passengers annually. Istanbul Airport features a massive terminal building that is considered one of the largest in the world, covering an area of 1,440,000 square metres (15,500,000 square feet). In addition to its impressive size, the airport also boasts advanced technologies and a range of amenities to enhance the travel experience for its visitors.

Istanbul Airport's size and capacity

Istanbul Airport, also known as iGA Istanbul Airport, is the main airport serving Istanbul, Turkey. It is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city, 40km (24.8 miles) from Taksim and 52km (32.3 miles) from Kadıköy. The airport was officially inaugurated on 29 October 2018, with the first flight taking off on 31 October 2018. As of April 2019, all passenger flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Istanbul's former main airport, have been transferred to the new Istanbul Airport.

Istanbul Airport is a massive aviation hub, serving more than 350 domestic and international destinations in 110 countries. In its initial phase, the airport has an annual passenger capacity of 90 million, with an expected overall capacity of 200 million when fully completed. The airport currently has one operational terminal, covering an area of 1,440,000 m2 (15,500,000 sq ft), making it the world's third-largest airport terminal building. The terminal features a unique design with two areas: Departures and Arrivals, and five piers for boarding.

The airport also boasts an impressive infrastructure, including two pairs of parallel runways, approximately 4,000,000 m2 (43,000,000 sq ft) of apron space, an indoor car park with a capacity of 12,000 vehicles, technical blocks for repairs and maintenance, an air traffic control tower, and cargo and general aviation hangars. Additionally, it offers a range of services such as hospitals, lounges, prayer rooms, convention centres, and hotels.

When fully expanded, Istanbul Airport will feature four terminal buildings with interconnecting rail access, covering a total indoor area of 3,200,000 m2 (34,000,000 sq ft). The apron will be expanded to 6,500,000 m2 (70,000,000 sq ft) with parking capacity for 500 aircraft. The airport will also include a state palace, indoor and outdoor parking for 70,000 cars, a medical centre, aircraft rescue and firefighting stations, hotels, convention centres, power plants, and wastewater treatment facilities.

Atatürk Airport's closure and repurposing

The closure of Atatürk Airport, one of the busiest airports in Europe, was due to its inability to expand to meet Istanbul's growing aviation demands. The airport ranked among the top five busiest airports in Europe by passenger traffic since 2013, serving over 60 million passengers in 2015.

The new Istanbul Airport, located 40km from Taksim and 52km from Kadıköy, was constructed to address these demands. It was inaugurated on 29 October 2018, with the first flight taking off on 31 October. From 6 April 2019, all passenger flights from Atatürk Airport were transferred to the new airport, marking the closure of the former for scheduled passenger flights.

The new airport features a vast main terminal, with an annual passenger capacity of 90 million and an area of 1,440,000 square metres, making it the world's third-largest airport terminal building. It is expected to expand to four terminal buildings, with a total indoor area of 3,200,000 square metres, and handle up to 200 million passengers annually by 2025, becoming the biggest airport worldwide in terms of passenger traffic.

Following the closure of Atatürk Airport for commercial passenger functions, the airport still serves private and business jets, as well as operations on behalf of the Government of Turkey. Additionally, one of the two runways will be transformed into the Atatürk Airport National Garden, with over 132,500 trees planted to replace the asphalt runway, helping to keep the city cooler. The other runway will remain in use for select cargo and private jet flights, aviation fairs, and the Turkish Air Force, which maintains a small training base and museum at the airport.

Istanbul's busiest airports

Istanbul is served by two international airports: the new Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). The new Istanbul Airport is the second busiest airport in Europe and the Middle East, and ranked fifth in the world's busiest airports list for August 2022. It served more than 76 million passengers in 2023, and is expected to handle up to 200 million passengers annually by 2025, which would make it the busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic.

Istanbul's former primary airport, Atatürk Airport, was one of the busiest airports in Europe. In 2015, it served over 60 million passengers, making it the 11th busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic. However, due to being hemmed in by the city on three sides and the Sea of Marmara on the other, it was unable to expand to meet growing demands. As a result, all commercial passenger flights were transferred from Atatürk Airport to the new Istanbul Airport in April 2019. Atatürk Airport now caters only to private and business jets, as well as operations on behalf of the Government of Turkey.

Istanbul's second-busiest airport, Sabiha Gökçen Airport, handled over 41 million passengers in 2024, making it one of the fastest-growing airports in Europe. Located on the Asian side of Istanbul, it is 40km from Taksim and 52km from Kadıköy.

Istanbul Airport's facilities and services

Istanbul Airport is the main international airport serving Istanbul, Turkey. It is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city. The airport is currently partially operational, with one terminal building, five runways, and five concourses serving numerous airlines. It is expected to be fully completed by 2027 with six sets of runways (eight in total) and four terminal buildings.

The airport offers a range of facilities and services to cater to the needs of its passengers. Both the international and domestic terminals feature exceptional services, including banks, currency exchange services, ATMs, shops, and restaurants. The international terminal has a wider selection of eateries, including snack bars, cafes, fast-food outlets, bars, and 24-hour restaurants. Additionally, the airport provides excellent facilities for disabled passengers, such as elevators, wheelchairs, adapted telephones, and toilets. A bridge taxi in the international departures area assists mobility-impaired passengers in accessing distant gates.

Istanbul Airport also boasts several other amenities, including CIP and business-class lounges, prayer rooms, and convention centres. The airport is easily accessible by public IETT and Havaist buses, as well as taxis, which are available 24 hours a day outside the arrival and departure areas. For those travelling by car, the airport can be reached via the O-7 motorway or the D.020 highway.

In terms of size, the first phase of the airport's construction includes a main terminal with an area of 1,440,000 square metres (15,500,000 square feet), making it the world's third-largest airport terminal building. The airport will also feature a vast apron space of 4,000,000 square metres (43,000,000 square feet) and an indoor car park capable of accommodating 12,000 vehicles. Once fully expanded, the airport will cover a total indoor area of 3,200,000 square metres (34,000,000 square feet) and will be able to handle 200 million passengers annually, making it the biggest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic.

Accolades and recognition

Istanbul Atatürk Airport featured two passenger terminals, with the former international terminal offering a large main hall containing eight check-in aisles and a wide range of shops and restaurants. The airport also featured a dedicated cargo terminal, including facilities for handling radioactive and refrigerated freight.

The airport offered a range of amenities, including a fitness centre, several hotels, and easy access to Istanbul's attractions, such as the Hagia Sophia.

Istanbul Atatürk Airport was replaced by the new Istanbul Airport in 2019 to meet the growing air traffic demand in Istanbul. The new airport is expected to handle up to 200 million passengers annually in its final phase, becoming the biggest airport worldwide in terms of passenger traffic.

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