Istanbul Airport: A Sprawling Turkish Aviation Hub

Istanbul Airport is the largest airport in Turkey. It is located on the European side of Istanbul, about 35 kilometres northwest of the city centre near the Black Sea. The airport covers 76 million square meters and can 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 largest airport in the world in terms of passenger capacity. The airport has two modern terminals with advanced technologies and efficient design. It ranked second in the 'World's Top 10 Airports' list by Travel and Leisure Magazine in 2021.

Istanbul Airport is the largest in Turkey

Istanbul Airport is the largest airport in Turkey. It is also the second-busiest airport in Europe, handling about 80 million passengers in 2024. Istanbul is one of the largest aviation hubs in the world, with two international airports, and a third airport with a planned capacity of 150 million passengers.

The airport has been recognised as one of the World's Top 10 Airports in the World's Best Awards 2021 survey by Travel and Leisure Magazine, based in New York City. It secured the second position with 91.17 points, as determined by the votes of the magazine readers. The airport was evaluated based on various factors, including accessibility, check-in procedures, security measures, food and beverage offerings, shopping facilities, and architectural design.

The design of the airport is inspired by local culture, with lofty, skylight ceilings reminiscent of Turkish domes and mosques, and an air traffic control tower featuring a tulip-inspired design, a culturally important symbol. The airport boasts a large duty-free area, "Unifree", which is set to be one of the world's biggest shopping zones.

Istanbul Airport has received recognition for its robust infrastructure, cutting-edge technology, and superior travel experience. It continues to receive the approval of international institutions and travellers alike, with its strong infrastructure and premium travel experience.

It is one of the world's biggest aviation hubs

Istanbul Airport is one of the world's biggest aviation hubs. It is located on the European side of Istanbul, about 35 kilometres northwest of the city centre near the Black Sea. The airport covers 76 million square meters, which is more than 818 million square feet or 18,780 acres. It is designed to handle 200 million passengers a year, which will make it the world's biggest airport by passenger traffic. In 2024, Istanbul Airport handled about 80 million passengers, making it the second-busiest airport in Europe.

The airport has two modern terminals with advanced technologies and five runways. The main terminal features an entrance hall with over 500 check-in desks and is divided into five piers arranged in a star shape around a central shopping complex. This efficient design ensures that passengers can easily access all 166 gates without having to walk through long corridors. The airport also boasts a 451-room boutique hotel, the Yotel, which offers both "land-side" and "air-side" access.

The air traffic control tower at Istanbul Airport is a notable feature, with its design inspired by the tulip, a culturally important symbol in Turkey. The airport seamlessly blends functionality with local identity, incorporating design elements reminiscent of Turkish domes and mosques, as well as the use of local colours and patterns. The "Unifree" duty-free area is set to be one of the world's biggest shopping zones, offering a range of novelties to entertain bored travellers.

Istanbul's second-busiest airport, Sabiha Gökçen Airport, is also worth mentioning. It handled over 41 million passengers in 2024 and is one of the fastest-growing airports in Europe. With Istanbul serving as one of the largest aviation hubs globally, the city's airports continue to accommodate the increasing demand for air travel and contribute to Turkey's dynamic air traffic infrastructure.

The airport covers 76 million square meters

Istanbul Airport, which opened in October 2018, is a massive aviation hub that covers 76 million square meters (more than 818 million square feet or 18,780 acres). This makes it far larger than any other airport in Turkey. In fact, it is one of the largest airports in the world by area. The airport is located 35 kilometers northwest of Istanbul's city center, near the Black Sea coast. It was constructed with the explicit goal of becoming one of the world's largest aviation hubs, and its size reflects that ambition.

The airport's sheer size is meant to accommodate a high volume of passengers and flights. In its initial phase, the airport could handle up to 90 million passengers per year. However, in its final stage of development, it is expected to manage up to 200 million passengers annually, which would make it the largest airport in the world in terms of passenger capacity. To put this into perspective, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, currently the world's busiest airport, handles about 107 million passengers per year.

Istanbul Airport's vast expanse includes five runways, two modern terminals, and advanced technologies. The main terminal features an innovative design, with over 500 check-in desks arranged in a star shape around a central shopping complex. This layout ensures that passengers can easily access all 166 gates without traversing long corridors. The airport also boasts a 451-room Yotel with both "land-side" and "air-side" access, providing convenient accommodations for travelers.

The size and scope of Istanbul Airport have not gone unnoticed, as it ranked second in the "World's Top 10 Airports" list by Travel and Leisure Magazine in 2021. It received high marks for its strong infrastructure, superior technology, and premium travel experience. The airport's design seamlessly blends functionality with cultural influences, featuring tulip-shaped air traffic control towers, a symbol of cultural significance in Turkey.

It can handle 90 million passengers a year in phase one

Istanbul Airport is a behemoth of an airport, and it is still growing. The airport is located 35 kilometres northwest of Istanbul's city centre, near the Black Sea coast. It is currently able to handle 90 million passengers per year in its first phase, but this number is expected to increase to 200 million passengers annually once the entire airport is completed. This will make it the world's biggest airport in terms of passenger traffic, outperforming the current record holder, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, by a significant margin.

The airport's massive size and capacity are no accident. Istanbul serves as one of the largest aviation hubs in the world, and the new airport was built with the specific aim of becoming one of the largest hubs globally. The growth of Turkish Airlines, which flies to more countries than any other airline, is a major factor in the airport's development. With its strategic location between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Turkey has invested heavily in expanding and modernising its airport infrastructure to accommodate the increasing demand for air travel.

The airport's design is impressive, covering 76 million square metres (more than 818 million square feet or 18,780 acres). It boasts two modern terminals with advanced technologies, an efficient terminal concept, and a unique tulip-shaped air traffic control tower that pays homage to a culturally important symbol in Turkey. The main terminal features an entrance hall with over 500 check-in desks, and it is divided into five piers arranged in a star shape around a central shopping complex. This design ensures that passengers can easily access any of the 166 gates without long walks through corridors.

The shopping experience at Istanbul Airport is also noteworthy, with a massive 55,000 square metres (592,000 square feet) dedicated to duty-free shops. The "Unifree" duty-free area, inspired by the Bosphorus waterway in Turkey, offers seven distinct sections, including "Fashion Garden," "Family Palace," and "Style Beach," each selling brands tailored to their theme. Beyond shopping, the airport also features a 451-room Yotel boutique hotel with both "land-side" and "air-side" access, providing convenience and comfort for travellers.

The airport is designed with local identity in mind

The Istanbul Airport is a massive aviation hub, serving up to 122 countries and acting as the hub for Turkish Airlines. It is one of the largest airports in the world, with a planned capacity of 150 million passengers annually. The airport is designed to be a modern, functional space, but it also incorporates local cultural elements.

Tomas Stokke, director of Haptic, a firm that was part of the design team, said that the airport "attempts to reconcile the requirements for a top modern, functional airport with something that is rooted in local identity." The design team drew inspiration from the local use of colours and patterns, the quality of light, traditional architecture, and how light penetrates buildings.

The airport's air traffic control tower, for instance, is designed in the shape of a tulip, which is a culturally important symbol and the Turkish national flower. The lofty, skylight ceilings are reminiscent of Turkish domes and mosques, and the airport even has a mosque and a multi-faith prayer room. The airport's Unifree duty-free area is also set to be one of the world's biggest shopping zones, keeping bored travellers entertained.

The Istanbul Airport is located in the Arnuvutköy district, known for its wooden Ottoman mansions. The airport is easily accessible by taxi or public transport. Visitors can pick up an Istanbulkart for the metro, bus, tram, funicular, and ferry, including to and from the airport. The airport is approximately 30 miles (50 km) from the city centre, and it takes about 50 minutes to get there by taxi, costing approximately 350 Lira (€19/ $20).

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