Lois Larson
Istanbul Airport, also known as iGA Istanbul Airport, is a sprawling facility that is currently only partially complete. The airport, which is set to become the world's largest airport upon completion, officially opened on 29 October 2018, with the first flight departing on 31 October 2018. The airport is located approximately 35km from Istanbul's Atatürk Airport, which it replaced as the city's main air hub. Istanbul Airport is expected to be fully completed by 2028, at which point it will have the capacity to serve 200 million yearly passengers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Construction start date | 7 October 2013 |
| Opening date | 29 October 2018 |
| First flight | 31 October 2018 |
| Official name | Istanbul Airport |
| Former name | Istanbul New Airport |
| Location | Intersection of roads to Arnavutköy, Göktürk, and Çatalca, north of central Istanbul and between the Black Sea coast towns of Yeniköy, Tayakadın and Akpınar |
| Area | 7,600-hectare (19,000-acre) |
| Number of destinations | 300+ |
| Annual passenger capacity | 200 million |
| Number of runways | 5-6 |
| Number of terminals | 1-4 |
| Number of cargo destinations | 97 |
| Cargo capacity | 5.5 million tons |
| Number of awards | 60+ |
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What You'll Learn
- Istanbul Airport's construction began in 2013 and was completed in 2018
- The airport is set to be a global transit hub with a capacity of 200 million passengers annually
- It is designed to have four terminal buildings, six runways, and an indoor car park
- The airport was constructed in a record time of 42 months and is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Turkey
- Istanbul Airport replaced Atatürk Airport as the city's main air hub
Istanbul Airport's construction began in 2013 and was completed in 2018
Construction of Istanbul Airport began in 2013 and was completed in 2018. The airport was built to meet the growing demands of air traffic in Istanbul. The airport is located approximately 35 km (22 mi) from Atatürk Airport, the former primary airport of Istanbul, which was hemmed in by the city on three sides and the sea of Marmara on the other, leaving it unable to expand. The new airport is set in a 7,600-hectare (19,000-acre) region near Lake Terkos, north of central Istanbul.
The construction of the airport was divided into four phases. The first phase, which was completed in 2018, includes a main terminal with a capacity of 90 million passengers annually, an area of 1,440,000 m2 (15,500,000 sq ft), two pairs of parallel runways, and an indoor car park with a capacity of 12,000 vehicles. The airport also features prayer rooms, convention centres, and hospitals. The second phase, which began in 2023, will add a second terminal building with a capacity of 60 million passengers and an additional runway. The third and fourth phases will add more runways and terminals to boost capacity to 150-200 million passengers annually.
Istanbul Airport officially opened on 29 October 2018, with the first flight departing on 31 October 2018. In its first three years, the airport handled over 100 million passengers and received numerous accolades for its design and facilities. The airport has become a key hub for intercontinental travel and a significant turning point for Turkey's aviation sector. It has also been recognised for its sustainability and innovative technologies, ranking as the ''Best Airport in the World'' in Condé Nast Traveler's annual Readers' Choice survey.
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The airport is set to be a global transit hub with a capacity of 200 million passengers annually
Istanbul Airport (IST) is a modern, highly efficient airport that captures the cultural influences of the historic city of Istanbul. The airport, which opened in October 2018, has become a key intercontinental hub and is set to be a global transit hub with a capacity of 200 million passengers annually.
The airport is located in a 7,600-hectare region near Lake Terkos, about 35km from Atatürk Airport. The construction of the airport was divided into four phases, with the first phase consisting of the main terminal, with an annual passenger capacity of 90 million. The terminal, which is one of the largest in the world, is organised over two and a half levels, with a central hall connecting to piers at each end. The design of the terminal includes vaulted ceilings with skylights, drawing in natural light and creating an open and airy space.
The second phase of construction, which began in 2023, will add a second terminal building with a capacity of 60 million passengers and an additional runway. The third and fourth phases will include further runways and the option to add satellite terminal buildings, bringing the total capacity to 200 million passengers annually. The airport will also have an extensive apron with parking capacity for 500 aircraft, VIP lounges, cargo and general aviation facilities, and various other services such as hospitals, convention centres, and hotels.
Istanbul Airport has already received numerous awards for its design and facilities, and it is expected to significantly contribute to Turkey's economy, providing tens of thousands of jobs and boosting the country's aviation industry.
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It is designed to have four terminal buildings, six runways, and an indoor car park
The new Istanbul Airport is a massive infrastructure project that is still under construction. The airport is being built in four phases, with the first phase already completed and the third phase currently underway. The airport is designed to be a global transit hub, with the capacity to handle 200 million passengers annually once fully expanded.
The first phase of the project included the construction of the main terminal, which has a capacity of 90 million passengers and covers an area of 1,440,000 square meters, making it one of the largest airport terminals in the world. The terminal is designed to provide a seamless and spacious transition for passengers, with a generous central hall connecting to piers at each end. The design of the terminal also draws on the architectural character of Istanbul, with vaulted ceilings, skylights, and focused beams of sunlight illuminating key areas such as check-in, security, and customs.
The next phases of the project will include the construction of three additional terminal buildings, bringing the total number of terminals to four. These terminals will be interconnected by rail access, providing a combined indoor area of 3,200,000 square meters. The expansion will also include the addition of five more runways, bringing the total number of runways to six. The airport will also feature an extensive apron with a parking capacity of 500 aircraft and an indoor car park with a capacity of 12,000 vehicles.
The Istanbul Airport is designed to be more than just an airport, with plans for a state palace, medical centre, hotels, convention centres, and even a power plant. The airport is expected to be fully completed by 2028 and will offer flights to more than 300 destinations worldwide.
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The airport was constructed in a record time of 42 months and is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Turkey
The construction of Istanbul Airport was completed in a record time of 42 months. The airport is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Turkey, with a capacity of 200 million passengers per year. The airport is designed to be a global transit hub, bridging continents and boasting an impressive capacity that surpasses even the busiest aviation centres worldwide.
The airport's construction was divided into four phases, with the first phase consisting of the main terminal, which has an annual passenger capacity of 90 million. The main terminal spans 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 also features two pairs of parallel runways connected to eight parallel taxiways, an indoor car park with a capacity of 12,000 vehicles, and various technical blocks for repairs, maintenance, and fuelling.
Istanbul Airport officially opened on 29 October 2018, and the first flight departed on 31 October 2018. The airport gradually expanded its operations, and by April 2019, all scheduled commercial passenger flights from Istanbul Atatürk Airport were transferred to the new Istanbul Airport. The new airport has received acclaim for its design and facilities, winning the '5-Star Airport' award by Skytrax and being ranked as the ''Best Airport in the World' by Condé Nast Traveler.
The airport is located approximately 35 kilometres (22 miles) from Atatürk Airport and is set across a single integrated terminal building with five concourses. The site encompasses 7,600 hectares (19,000 acres), of which 6,172 hectares (15,250 acres) were state-owned forest. The construction of the airport faced some challenges, including environmental concerns and the relocation of a large number of trees. However, the project has also contributed significantly to the country's economy by providing tens of thousands of job opportunities.
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Istanbul Airport replaced Atatürk Airport as the city's main air hub
Istanbul Airport (IST) has replaced Atatürk Airport (ISL) as the city's main air hub. The new airport officially opened on 29 October 2018, with the first flight departing for Ankara on 31 October. The airport was constructed in a record time of 42 months and is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Turkey. It is designed to be a global transit hub, with an annual passenger capacity of 200 million expected upon completion. The facility has quickly become a key intercontinental travel hub, receiving accolades for its exceptional design and facilities.
The decision to build a new airport was made due to the limitations of Atatürk Airport, which was hemmed in by the city on three sides and the sea on the other, preventing it from expanding to meet growing demands. The new Istanbul Airport is located approximately 35 km (22 mi) from Atatürk Airport, in an area near Lake Terkos. The construction of the new airport involved the filling of old open-pit coal mines and the cutting and moving of hundreds of thousands of trees.
The development of Istanbul Airport has been divided into four phases. The first phase includes a main terminal with a capacity of 90 million passengers annually, making it the world's third-largest airport terminal building. It also features two pairs of parallel runways, an indoor car park, repair and maintenance facilities, an air traffic control tower, and various other services. The second phase, which began in 2023, will add a second terminal building with a capacity of 60 million passengers and an additional runway.
The final two phases will further expand the airport's capacity, adding more runways and the option of satellite terminal buildings, bringing the total annual passenger capacity to 200 million. The airport will also feature VIP lounges, cargo and general aviation facilities, a state palace, and extensive parking. In addition to its functionality, the design of the airport draws on the architectural character of Istanbul, with vaulted ceilings, skylights, and focused beams of sunlight illuminating key areas.
The transfer of operations from Atatürk Airport to Istanbul Airport took place gradually. Both airports operated in parallel for several months, with the full transfer of all scheduled passenger activities completed on 6 April 2019. Atatürk Airport served as Istanbul's primary airport for decades and ranked among the busiest airports in Europe by passenger traffic. The closure of the old airport has allowed for a giant park to be constructed on its grounds, as part of an urban transformation plan for the city.
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Frequently asked questions
The construction of Istanbul Airport began in 2013 and was completed in 42 months. The airport officially opened on 29 October 2018.
The Istanbul Airport replaced the Atatürk Airport as the main airport in Istanbul in April 2019.
The first stage of the Istanbul Airport consisted of a main terminal with an annual passenger capacity of 90 million.
The Istanbul Airport is still under construction and expansion. As of 2023, the airport has the capacity to serve 90 million passengers annually.
