Istanbul's Massive Airport: A Comprehensive Overview

Istanbul New Airport, which opened in late October 2018, is the largest airport in Turkey and the second busiest airport in Europe. It is located in the Arnavutköy district, 20 miles outside the city along the Black Sea coastline. The airport covers 76 million square meters and can handle 90 million passengers a year in its first phase. When fully completed by 2025, it will be able to accommodate 200 million passengers annually, making it the busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic. The airport features a vast duty-free area, an onsite Yotel, and a 1,000-square-meter museum showcasing Turkish culture and history. The airport's design draws inspiration from Istanbul's rich history and architecture, featuring geometric patterns, natural daylight, and a tulip-shaped air traffic control tower, a symbol of Turkish culture.

The airport is located 20-22 miles from Istanbul, in the Arnavutköy district

The new Istanbul Airport is located 20-22 miles from Istanbul, in the Arnavutköy district, on the European side of the city. It is set to be a state-of-the-art airport, with modern design and technology, and is expected to increase tourism to Istanbul. The airport is so large that it covers 76 million square meters (more than 818 million square feet or 18,780 acres) and is larger than Manhattan. The first phase of construction, which includes three runways and 15 million square feet of terminal space, is finished. There will be four phases in total, to be completed by 2025, with a total cost of about $12 billion.

The airport's design was inspired by the city's ancient and modern architecture, with an emphasis on colour, patterns, and light. The ceiling, with its geometric patterns, was designed to give a lucid sense of directionality, and continuous skylights diffuse natural daylight throughout the terminals. The airport also features short-stay accommodation within the terminal, with both YOTEL and YOTELAIR properties. The airport will also have a large duty-free area, inspired by the Bosphorus, a famous waterway in Turkey.

The airport's communication and paging systems are a key element in its success, and the size of the terminal meant that only a few companies were qualified to provide the technology. The airport has already received accolades, including a 5-star rating from Skytrax and being named the winner of the Best Airport Dining category in 2024.

The airport is expected to be able to handle 200 million passengers a year when fully completed, which will make it the world's biggest airport by passenger traffic.

It is the largest airport in Turkey and the second busiest airport in Europe

Istanbul Airport, also known as Istanbul New Airport during its construction, is the largest airport in Turkey. It is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of Istanbul, 20 miles outside the city along the coastline of the Black Sea. The airport opened in April 2019, with the first flight taking off on the 6th of April. It is notable for being a brand-new construction, which is uncommon in the aviation world. The airport covers 76 million square meters and has three runways and 15 million square feet of terminal space in its first phase. The terminal has seven entrances, referencing Istanbul's nickname as the "City on the Seven Hills". The airport is designed to handle 90 million passengers annually in its first phase and will eventually be able to accommodate more than 200 million passengers per year, making it the world's biggest airport by passenger traffic.

Istanbul Airport served more than 76 million passengers in 2023, making it the second busiest airport in Europe that year, after Heathrow Airport in London. It was also the second busiest airport in the Middle East, after Dubai International Airport, and the seventh busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic. The airport serves up to 122 countries and is the hub for Turkish Airlines. The massive growth of Turkish Airlines was a major factor in the construction of the airport. The airport is expected to increase tourism to Istanbul and boost Turkish Airlines' market share of connecting flights from the US and Western Europe to the Middle East.

The airport features an air traffic control tower shaped like a tulip, a popular and symbolic flower in Turkish culture. It also has three technical blocks for repairs, maintenance, and fueling, eight ramp control towers, and hangars for cargo and general aviation aircraft. The airport will have separate terminal buildings for VIPs and private jets. Additionally, several other services are available, including hospitals, frequent-flyer and VIP lounges, prayer rooms, convention centers, and hotels. The airport has a large duty-free area, inspired by the Bosphorus waterway in Turkey, with seven sections featuring different concepts such as fashion.

Istanbul Airport has been recognised for its dining options, receiving the 2024 Skytrax Award for Best Airport Dining. The airport also offers a range of leisure facilities, including napping zones, terraces for smokers and non-smokers, express spa stations, and the larger Ambassador Spa & Beauty Salon. There is also a 1,000 square meter museum on the international departures floor, operated by the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry, showcasing the country's rich culture with 316 works from prehistoric to modern times.

Istanbul Airport has ongoing construction until 2028, with four phases to be completed by 2025

Istanbul Airport, previously known as Istanbul New Airport during its construction, is the largest airport in Turkey. It is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city, 22 miles from Istanbul. The airport is expected to increase tourism to the city and boost Turkish Airlines' market share of connecting flights from the U.S. and Western Europe to the Middle East.

The airport's first flight took place in October 2018, and it officially opened in late October 2018, with its first phase of construction completed. The first phase includes three runways and 15 million square feet of terminal space. The airport is currently in its third phase of construction, which began in 2023 and will run until 2025. This phase will add a second terminal building with a capacity of up to 60 million passengers and an additional runway.

By the end of 2025, the airport is expected to have a capacity of 120 million passengers, with the completion of the first four phases of construction. The entire project, consisting of six runways, is expected to be finished by 2028, with a total cost of about $12 billion. Once completed, the airport will be able to handle 200 million passengers a year, making it the world's biggest airport by passenger traffic.

The airport's design includes a tulip-shaped air traffic control tower, three technical blocks for repairs, maintenance, and fueling, eight ramp control towers, and hangars for cargo and general aviation aircraft. The airport will also feature several other services, such as hospitals, lounges, prayer rooms, convention centers, and hotels.

The airport's first phase includes three runways and 15 million square feet of terminal space

Istanbul Airport, also known as Istanbul New Airport during its construction, is the largest airport in Turkey. It is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of Istanbul, 20 miles outside the city along the coastline of the Black Sea. The airport is 22 miles from Istanbul and is designed to give a lucid sense of directionality.

The first phase of the airport's construction includes three runways and 15 million square feet of terminal space. There are four phases in total to be completed by 2025, with a total cost of about $12 billion. The airport covers 76 million square meters (more than 818 million square feet or 18,780 acres) and can currently handle 90 million passengers a year in phase one.

The airport's design was inspired by the historically rich city of Istanbul and its ancient and modern architecture, emphasizing colour, patterns, and light. The ceiling and its geometric patterns were designed to give a lucid sense of directionality, with continuous skylights diffusing natural daylight throughout the terminals. Selected focused beams of sunlight highlight key areas, including check-in, security, and passport control, providing passengers with a completely natural guide. The airport also has seven entrances, nodding to Istanbul's moniker as the "City on the Seven Hills". The main thoroughfare in the departures hall is named after the Bosphorus Strait, with the undulating design of the outlets mimicking the shape of the strait.

The airport's first flight took place in October 2018, with the official opening ceremony held on 29 October 2018, coinciding with the 95th anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic. The airport completely replaced the Atatürk airport, which had served Istanbul for decades, in April 2019.

The airport has been voted the World's Best Airport by Travel & Leisure readers

Istanbul Airport (IST) is the larger of the two international airports serving Istanbul, Turkey. It is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city. The airport is 22 miles from Istanbul and its air traffic control tower is shaped like a tulip, a popular and symbolic flower in Turkish culture. The airport's first phase of construction, which includes three runways and 15 million square feet of terminal space, is finished. There are four phases to be completed by 2025, with a total cost of about $12 billion. The new airport covers 76 million square meters and can currently handle 90 million passengers a year in phase one. When the entire airport is completed, it will be able to handle 200 million passengers a year, making it the world's biggest airport by passenger traffic.

The airport has been ranked among the 'World's Top 10 Airports' in the prestigious 'World's Best Awards 2021' survey by the internationally acclaimed Travel and Leisure Magazine, based in New York City. In the list determined by the scores given by readers of Travel and Leisure, an international travel and lifestyle magazine, in the survey "The World's Best 10 International Airports," iGA Istanbul Airport came first, surpassing all its competitors. The airport secured the second position with 91.17 points, as determined by the votes of the magazine readers, securing one of the highest entries in the top 10. As the region's foremost global hub, iGA Istanbul Airport continues to win the approval of international institutions with its robust infrastructure, cutting-edge technology, and unparalleled travel experience.

In the research of "The World's Best 10 International Airports," determined by the opinions of Travel and Leisure magazine readers, airports were evaluated in terms of access, check-in, security, food and beverage areas, shopping, and architectural design. The massive growth of Turkish Airlines is one of the major reasons for the construction of Istanbul New Airport. The airport will also increase tourism to Istanbul and could also give Turkish Airlines a greater market share of connecting flights from the U.S. and Western Europe to the Middle East.

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