Lois Larson
Istanbul Airport, unofficially known as Istanbul New Airport during its construction, is an airport in Turkey that opened in late October 2018. The airport serves as a global hub between Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. It is the largest airport in Turkey and the second busiest airport in Europe and the Middle East, serving more than 76 million passengers in 2023. The airport is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of Istanbul and is conveniently situated close to major highways, making it easily accessible by car and public transportation. The airport is impressive and technologically advanced, with state-of-the-art facilities, a wide range of international connections, and top-tier security measures. However, it has also faced controversies, including accusations of poor working conditions and mass deforestation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Opening date | 29 October 2018 |
| Official name | Istanbul Airport |
| Location | Arnavutköy district, European side of Istanbul |
| Size | 76.5 million square meters |
| Number of runways | 5-6 |
| Number of terminals | 1 |
| Capacity | 90 million passengers per year currently; 200 million passengers per year when complete |
| Features | Over 40 restaurants and cafes, full Wi-Fi access, various museums and exhibitions, expansive duty-free shopping area with over 100 stores, YOTEL Istanbul Airport Hotel with 451 rooms, fast pass zones for families with children, youth lounge, 6 nap zones, 26 sleep pods, top-tier security measures |
| Served | 76 million passengers in 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
- The new Istanbul Airport officially opened on 29 October 2018
- The airport is one of the largest in the world
- It is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city
- The airport has advanced facilities and is family-friendly
- It has been criticised for poor working conditions and environmental damage
The new Istanbul Airport officially opened on 29 October 2018
The opening ceremony of the new Istanbul Airport was held on 29 October 2018, coinciding with the 95th anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic. Initially, the airport operated a limited number of flights, with the full transfer of all scheduled commercial passenger flights from Ataturk Airport taking place on 6 April 2019.
The new Istanbul Airport boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including over 40 restaurants and cafes, full Wi-Fi access, museums, exhibitions, and an expansive duty-free shopping area with over 100 stores. It is designed with the same concept as Amsterdam Schiphol's one-terminal concept, providing convenience and quick transfer times for passengers. The airport also offers family-friendly features such as free buggy services for families with young children and fast pass zones for priority boarding.
Istanbul Airport is impressive and technologically advanced, covering a vast area of over 1.44 million square metres. It currently has one terminal in service and five runways, including three independent parallel runways, making it the second airport in Europe to achieve this feat. The airport serves as a global hub, offering direct connections to destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.
The construction of the airport faced some controversies, including accusations of poor working conditions and mass deforestation. However, it won first prize in the "Future projects -- Infrastructure" category at the 2016 World Architectural Festival in Berlin. The total cost of the project is estimated at roughly $12 billion.
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The airport is one of the largest in the world
The new Istanbul Airport in Turkey is one of the largest in the world. It is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city. The airport is the main gateway into Turkey, offering a wide range of international connections. It covers a very large area of over 1,440,000 square metres, serving as a global hub between Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. The airport has five runways that are currently in operation, with the sixth runway projected to be expanded to 3,750 metres. The two 17/35 runways are 4,100 metres long, while the 16/34 runways are 3,750 metres long. Runway 18/36 is 3,060 metres long, shorter than the other runways.
The airport is the largest in Turkey and the second busiest airport in Europe and the Middle East, serving more than 76 million passengers in 2023. It is also the sixth-busiest airport in the world in terms of international passenger traffic. The airport features over 40 restaurants and cafes, full Wi-Fi access throughout the terminal, various museums and exhibitions, and an expansive duty-free shopping area with over 100 stores. It is also family-friendly, offering services such as free buggy rides for families with young children and fast pass zones for families with kids to get through lines quickly. There is also a Youth Lounge for older kids, which includes Wi-Fi, Play Station, foosball, board games, and comics.
The airport is designed to accommodate up to 200 million passengers per year, nearly double the capacity of the current largest airport in the world, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The main terminal is currently open and is the world's largest, covering 15.5 million square feet. However, there is still ongoing construction at the airport, which is expected to be fully completed and operational by 2028.
The new Istanbul Airport officially opened in October 2018, with the first flight taking off on 31 October 2018. However, the full transfer of all scheduled commercial passenger flights from Atatürk Airport to the new Istanbul Airport took place on 6 April 2019. The new airport has been praised for its convenience, with everything located under one roof, and the possibility of quick transfer times.
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It is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city
Istanbul Airport, formerly known as Istanbul New Airport during its construction, is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city. The airport is conveniently situated close to major highways, making it easily accessible by car and public transportation. Travel from the airport to Istanbul city centre is 42 km, which is about a 45-minute ride.
The airport is one of the largest terminals in the world, covering an area of 76.5 million square meters. It is also one of the most advanced airports, featuring six runways and a capacity for up to 90 million passengers per year. The airport is expected to be fully operational by 2028 and will have the capacity to handle about 200 million passengers per year, making it the biggest in the world.
The airport is designed with a one-terminal concept, similar to Amsterdam Schiphol's, which is loved by transfer passengers as it provides the convenience of having everything under one roof and enables quick transfer times. The terminal offers various amenities, including over 40 restaurants and cafes, full Wi-Fi access, a youth lounge, and an expansive duty-free shopping area with over 100 stores. The airport also features the world's largest terminal, covering 15.5 million square feet.
Istanbul Airport is the larger of two international airports serving Istanbul, Turkey. It served more than 76 million passengers in 2023, making it the second-busiest airport in Europe, after London Heathrow, and the second-busiest in the Middle East, after Dubai International Airport. It is also a global hub, serving up to 122 countries and offering direct connections to destinations around Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.
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The airport has advanced facilities and is family-friendly
The new Istanbul Airport officially opened on 29 October 2018, with the first flight taking off on 31 October 2018. The airport aims to be one of the world's largest, with the capacity to handle as many as 200 million passengers. It is the largest airport in Turkey and the second busiest airport in Europe and the Middle East, serving more than 76 million passengers in 2023.
Istanbul Airport has advanced facilities and is family-friendly. The airport has branded itself as a "Children and Family-Friendly Airport" and offers a range of services for families with children. These include playgrounds with five different themes covering an area of 700 square meters, free buggy rides for passengers with children up to the age of two, and a special parking area and entrance gate for families. There is also a check-in counter specially reserved for unaccompanied minors, and infant care rooms with feeding chairs and baby changing units. The airport provides Instagram game filters to entertain children while they wait for their flights.
The airport has a total of five runways (three main and two backups) and one terminal in service for domestic and international flights. It is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city. The airport calls itself a "green" airport due to its recycling capabilities and rainwater utilization capacity, although some environmental groups have criticised the project for causing mass deforestation.
Istanbul Airport has been designed to accommodate a large number of passengers and to provide a smooth and efficient travel experience for its customers. The speed with which the project was completed is unprecedented, and the airport has become a major hub for transportation in the region.
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It has been criticised for poor working conditions and environmental damage
The new Istanbul Airport has faced criticism for poor working conditions and environmental damage. On 14 September 2018, mass worker protests broke out, with thousands of construction workers rallying against poor working and living conditions. Workers' complaints included "vermin-infested dormitories", transportation issues, and long delays in payments. There have also been reports of workplace accidents, with at least 38 workers dying from preventable accidents, and allegations of arbitrary dismissals.
In response to the protests, an Istanbul court ordered the detention of 24 individuals, including union representatives, and released 19 on bail. The workers faced various charges, such as damaging public property, resisting police, and disrupting the freedom to work. Human rights organisations called for the charges to be dropped and for improvements in working conditions.
The airport's construction has also raised environmental concerns. The project was initially challenged in court by the Turkish Chamber of Environmental Engineers (ÇMO), who argued that it violated the requirements for the Environmental Impact Assessment (ÇED) report. An Istanbul administrative court ordered a suspension of construction in February 2014. However, construction proceeded, and according to a report in the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet, more than 400 workers have died during the building process, with accidents killing three to four workers every week.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (ÇED) report published in April 2013 acknowledged that the construction would result in the cutting down of 657,950 trees, with an additional 1,855,391 trees being relocated. The vast scale of the airport, which covers 76.5 million square metres, has led to concerns about its environmental impact, particularly as it is expected to serve up to 200 million passengers annually.
Despite these concerns, IGA, the company managing the airport, has emphasised its commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. They have received the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certificate and are pursuing further sustainability verifications. Additionally, a dedicated team has been overseeing the environmental aspects of construction and operations, aiming to adhere to Turkish and international environmental standards and minimise ecological harm.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Istanbul Airport is operational and is the main gateway into Turkey. The airport opened for service on 29 October 2018, with the first flight taking off on 31 October 2018.
The airport currently has five runways in operation, three main and two backups.
The airport served over 76 million passengers in 2023, making it the second-busiest airport in Europe and the Middle East, after London Heathrow and Dubai International Airport, respectively. The airport has a capacity of 90 million passengers per year, using a single terminal.
The airport has over 40 restaurants and cafes, full Wi-Fi access, various museums and exhibitions, and an expansive duty-free shopping area with over 100 stores. It also has sleep pods, youth lounges, buggy services, fast pass zones, and top-tier security measures.
Yes, the airport is located close to major highways and is accessible by car and public transportation. It is situated 42 km from the Istanbul city center, which is about a 45-minute ride.
