Sachin Walls
Istanbul Airport (IST) is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey. The airport, which opened in October 2018, is the largest in Turkey and the second busiest airport in Europe and the Middle East. It is located north of central Istanbul, near Lake Terkos, and is accessible via the O-7 and D020 roads. The airport has been the subject of controversy due to its location, which has been criticized as being inconveniently far from the city and potentially unsafe due to unstable ground, local weather conditions, and the nearby bird population.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Istanbul Airport (IGA Istanbul Airport) |
| Location | Arnavutköy district, European side of Istanbul, Turkey |
| Construction Location | Intersection of roads to Arnavutköy, Göktürk, and Çatalca, north of central Istanbul |
| Nearby Towns | Yeniköy, Tayakadın and Akpınar |
| Nearby Water Bodies | Black Sea, Lake Terkos |
| Distance from Atatürk Airport | 35 km (22 mi) |
| Area | 7,600 hectares (19,000 acres) |
| Environment | Old open-pit coal mines, 2,513,341 trees (657,950 cut, 1,855,391 moved) |
| Opening Date | 29 October 2018 |
| Phase 1 Construction | Three runways, 15 million square feet of terminal space |
| Total Phases | Four |
| Completion Date | 2025 |
| Total Cost | $12 billion |
| Passenger Capacity | 200 million per year |
| Services | Hospitals, lounges, prayer rooms, convention centers, hotels, duty-free shopping, Yotel, exclusive travel experiences, spa, aquarium, guided tours |
| Awards | Best Airport in the World by Travel & Leisure, Best Airport Dining by Skytrax (2024), 5-star rating by Skytrax |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Istanbul Airport is located in the Arnavutköy district
The construction of Istanbul Airport was a massive undertaking, costing around $12 billion, with plans for four phases of development to be completed by 2025. The airport is designed to handle a vast number of passengers, with an annual capacity of 200 million travellers. It boasts a large duty-free shopping area and an onsite Yotel. Additionally, the airport features comfortable accommodation, exclusive travel experiences, and various services such as hospitals, lounges, prayer rooms, convention centres, and hotels.
Istanbul Airport is the larger of the two international airports serving Istanbul, the other being Sabiha Gökçen Airport located on the Asian side of the city. The new airport officially commenced operations in October 2018, with all commercial flights transferred from Atatürk Airport in April 2019.
The opening of Istanbul Airport was not without controversy, as critics pointed out issues with its location on a wetland by the Black Sea. Aviation experts raised concerns about unstable ground, local bird populations, and changeable weather conditions, including strong winds and fog, which could pose challenges to air traffic.
Despite these concerns, Istanbul Airport has received accolades, including being named "The Best Airport in the World" by Travel & Leisure readers and earning a 5-star rating from Skytrax.
Dane County Airport: Gateway to Madison, Wisconsin
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is on the European side of the city
Istanbul Airport is located on the European side of the city, in the Arnavutköy district. It is the largest airport in Turkey and the largest privately-owned airport in the world. The airport is situated 35km from Istanbul's other airport, Atatürk Airport, and around 70 minutes from Taksim Square by bus. The airport is north of central Istanbul, near Lake Terkos, and is easily accessible by car via the nearby O-7 and D020 roads.
The new airport was constructed at the intersection of roads to Arnavutköy, Göktürk, and Çatalca, and is surrounded by several Black Sea coast towns, including Yeniköy, Tayakadın, and Akpınar. The airport's location was chosen to facilitate the development of the area north of Istanbul, which is already home to over 15 million people.
The airport's construction was not without controversy, with some criticising the decision to build it on a wetland by the Black Sea. Aviation experts warned that the unstable ground, local bird population, and changeable weather conditions could pose safety threats to air traffic. In addition, the construction of the airport resulted in the destruction of vast swathes of the region's northern Bosphorus forest.
Despite these controversies, Istanbul Airport has received numerous accolades, including a 5-star rating from Skytrax and being named "The Best Airport in the World" by Travel & Leisure readers. The airport features a large duty-free area, an onsite Yotel, and various other amenities such as lounges, prayer rooms, and convention centers.
Arriving Early: Domestic Flight Airport Timing
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is north of central Istanbul
Istanbul New Airport is located north of central Istanbul, in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city. The airport is situated at the intersection of roads to Arnavutköy, Göktürk, and Çatalca, between the Black Sea coast towns of Yeniköy, Tayakadın, and Akpınar. The area is a 7,600-hectare (19,000-acre) region near Lake Terkos, encompassing old open-pit coal mines that were filled with soil during construction.
The decision to build the airport in this location has been controversial due to several factors. One concern is the distance from the city, with critics noting that the new airport is significantly farther from central Istanbul than the previous Atatürk Airport, increasing travel time for passengers. The location in a remote area, without convenient public transportation options, has been criticised for potentially discouraging tourism in the city.
In addition to its distance from the city, the airport's location has also faced scrutiny for its environmental impact. The construction of the airport required the clearing of vast swathes of the region's northern Bosphorus forest, resulting in the loss of approximately 1.5 million trees, according to Aisha Yikici. The Environmental Impact Assessment (ÇED) report published in April 2013 estimated that 657,950 trees would need to be cut down, while 1,855,391 trees would be relocated. However, the exact number of trees affected was not disclosed until after construction was complete.
The airport's proximity to the Black Sea has also raised safety concerns among aviation experts. The local bird population, unstable ground, and changeable weather conditions, including strong winds and fog, have been cited as potential hazards for air traffic. Despite these concerns, the airport commenced operations in October 2018, with the first flight taking place that month. The airport is expected to handle 200 million passengers annually and features a massive duty-free area and an onsite Yotel.
Exploring Thessaloniki: Airport Layover Activities
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport is near Lake Terkos
Istanbul Airport, formerly known as Istanbul New Airport during its construction, is located near Lake Terkos. The lake is situated in the northwest of Istanbul, approximately 40-50 km from the city. It is a lagoon-origin lake with a low salt concentration and an altitude of between +4.5 and -1 meters. The lake has a water area of 39 square kilometres and a maximum depth of 11 meters.
The airport is located in the Arnavutköy district, north of central Istanbul, and was built on a 7,600-hectare area near Lake Terkos. The construction of the airport involved filling old open-pit coal mines with soil and relocating a significant number of trees from the state-owned forest that encompassed the site.
Lake Terkos, also known as Lake Durusu, is an important water resource for Istanbul. It serves as one of the main sources of fresh water for the city, and its water is purified and distributed throughout Istanbul. The lake is fed by the Istiranca River, ensuring fresh water supply. Excessive water from the lake is discharged into the sea when needed.
The lake is surrounded by small forests, and a village with the same name is located nearby. Lake Terkos offers opportunities for freshwater fishing and regulated goose hunting. It is a popular destination for local people, especially during summer weekends, and features small country-style hotels in the surrounding area.
Colorado Springs Airport: Does It Exist?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is located on a wetland by the Black Sea
Istanbul Airport is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city, north of central Istanbul. It is situated on a wetland by the Black Sea, near Lake Terkos. The airport is surrounded by the towns of Yeniköy, Tayakadın, and Akpınar.
The decision to construct the airport in this location has been controversial. Aviation experts have raised concerns about the unstable ground, the local bird population, and the unpredictable weather conditions near the Black Sea, including strong winds and fog. These factors pose potential safety risks for air traffic. The move from the previous Atatürk Airport, located on prime real estate, to the new Istanbul Airport has been criticised as rushed and poorly planned, with a negative impact on the environment.
Despite the controversies, the new Istanbul Airport is now operational and boasts impressive features. It is the largest airport in Turkey and one of the busiest airports in Europe and the world, serving over 76 million passengers in 2023. The airport has a massive duty-free area and an onsite Yotel. It is designed to handle up to 200 million passengers annually and is expected to have four construction phases completed by 2025, with a total estimated cost of $12 billion.
The airport offers comfortable accommodation and exclusive travel experiences, collaborating with Turkish Airlines' Shop&Miles Platform. It has received accolades, including a 5-star rating from Skytrax and being named "The Best Airport in the World" by Travel & Leisure readers. Istanbul Airport also provides unique services such as therapy dogs to reduce flight stress for families with children and older travellers.
Currency Exchange: Available at Airports?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Istanbul Airport is located on the European side of Istanbul, in the Arnavutköy district.
The airport was built to kickstart development north of the existing city, which is already home to at least 15 million people.
Istanbul Airport is located northwest of the city. It takes at least 70 minutes to get to the airport from Taksim Square, and there is no metro alternative yet.
The distance between Istanbul Airport and Atatürk Airport is approximately 35 km (22 mi).
The IATA code for Istanbul New Airport is IST.
