Ruth Haines
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is one of two airports in Istanbul, Turkey, the other being Istanbul Airport (IST). Named after Sabiha Gökçen, the first female combat pilot in the world, the airport is located on the Asian side of Istanbul, around 45km from the city centre. It is served mainly by low-cost airlines and offers both domestic and international terminals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Sabiha Gökçen Airport |
| Airport Code | SAW |
| Location | Asian side of Istanbul |
| Distance from City Centre | 45 km (28 mi) |
| Terminals | Two (Domestic and International) |
| Airlines | Emirates, Turkish Airlines (until 2020), AnadoluJet, Air Arabia Maroc, flydubai, Air Arabia, Azerbaijan Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways, KLM, Transavia, Etihad Airways, ITA Airways, ADA, ADF, ESB, AOE, ASR, AYT, YEI, BJV, CKZ, DIY, DLM, DNZ, ERZ, GZT |
| Transport Options | Private shuttle, Havabüs shuttle buses, taxi, car rental, ferry, tram, bus |
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What You'll Learn
- Istanbul has two airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport is named after the world's first female combat pilot
- The airport is 40km from Pendik-Kurtköy and 50km from Taksim, the two most popular parts of Istanbul
- It has two terminals: a Domestic Terminal and an International Terminal
- The airport is located on the Asian side of Istanbul
Istanbul has two airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
Istanbul is a city with two airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). Both airports are located outside of Istanbul's city centre. Istanbul Airport is located in the northern part of Istanbul's European side, while Sabiha Gökçen Airport is located on the Asian side of the city.
Istanbul Airport is the primary hub for Turkish Airlines, which is the national flag carrier of Turkey. The airline offers a large network of flights connecting Istanbul to destinations worldwide. If you are flying with Turkish Airlines or its partner airlines within the Star Alliance network, you will likely arrive or depart from Istanbul Airport.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport, on the other hand, is mainly served by low-cost airlines. Between 2015 and 2020, Turkish Airlines also flew to and from this airport. However, after the opening of the new Istanbul Airport, Turkish Airlines moved its hub to the new airport and ceded all flights to and from Sabiha Gökçen to its low-cost carrier AnadoluJet.
When it comes to transportation, Istanbul Airport is typically considered the best airport for tourists due to its location on the European side and its transportation connections. However, Sabiha Gökçen Airport also offers plenty of transportation options, including public transportation, direct shuttle buses, and private transfers. For example, the Havabüs shuttle buses run every 30 minutes between the airport and Kadıköy on the Asian side or Taksim on the European side of Istanbul.
Both airports have their advantages, and the best choice for travellers depends on their specific needs and preferences.
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Sabiha Gökçen Airport is named after the world's first female combat pilot
The Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) in Istanbul is named after Sabiha Gökçen, the world's first female combat pilot. Gökçen was adopted by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, who gave her the family name Gökçen, meaning "belonging or relating to the sky" in Turkish. She developed a passion for flying and became an accomplished aviator, receiving recognition for her skills and achievements. She was awarded the Turkish Aeronautical Association's first "Murassa (Jeweled) Medal" and was the only female pilot featured on the poster of "The 20 Greatest Aviators in History" published by the United States Air Force in 1996. Sabiha Gökçen Airport, named in her honour, opened on January 8, 2001, two months before her death. The airport is located on the Asian side of Istanbul and features two terminals: the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal. It is primarily served by low-cost airlines, offering convenient transportation options for travellers visiting the city.
Sabiha Gökçen's journey to becoming the world's first female combat pilot began when she was adopted by Atatürk at the age of twelve. She expressed her desire to study at a boarding school, and after learning about her difficult living conditions, Atatürk decided to take her in. She attended the Çankaya Primary School in Ankara and the Üsküdar American Academy in Istanbul. It was in 1935, during the opening ceremony of the Türkkuşu (Turkish Bird) Flight School, that she developed a passion for aviation. Atatürk, who attached great importance to aviation, took her to the ceremony, where she witnessed an exciting airshow of gliders and parachutists from foreign countries.
Gökçen's skills as a pilot were honed over time, and she became a renowned aviator. She carried out a five-day flight around the Balkan countries in 1938, receiving great acclaim for her achievement. The same year, she was appointed chief trainer of the Türkkuşu Flight School of the Turkish Aeronautical Association, a position she held until 1954. During her tenure, she trained four female aviators: Edibe Subaşı, Yıldız Uçman, Sahavet Karapas, and Nezihe Viranyalı. Gökçen's contributions to aviation were recognised internationally, and she received numerous accolades. In addition to the "Murassa (Jeweled) Medal," she was honoured at the Air Command and Staff College's Gathering of Eagles at Maxwell Air Force Base in 1996.
Sabiha Gökçen's legacy extends beyond her aviation achievements. In an interview with Halit Kıvanç in 1956, she provided insight into her experiences as a combat pilot. She recalled receiving orders to "shoot every living thing" during operations, even firebombing goats that were intended to be food for rebels. This glimpse into the harsh realities of combat underscores the challenges Gökçen must have faced as a female pioneer in a predominantly male domain. Her courage and skill in the face of adversity further emphasise the impact she had on the world of aviation and her status as a trailblazer for women in combat roles.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport, named in honour of this remarkable woman, serves as a lasting tribute to her achievements. The airport, located 40 kilometres from Pendik-Kurtköy and 50 kilometres from Taksim, provides easy access to Istanbul. Shuttle bus services, such as the Havataş Airport Shuttle and Havabüs, connect the airport to different parts of the city, ensuring convenient transportation for travellers. The airport's two terminals facilitate efficient travel, and the inclusion of a map on the airport's website assists visitors in navigating their way around. Sabiha Gökçen Airport, with its connections to the Asian and European sides of Istanbul, stands as a gateway to this vibrant city, welcoming visitors from around the world.
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The airport is 40km from Pendik-Kurtköy and 50km from Taksim, the two most popular parts of Istanbul
Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is located in Pendik/Kurtköy, approximately 40km from Pendik-Kurtköy and 50km from Taksim, the two most popular parts of Istanbul. The airport is named after Sabiha Gökçen, the first female combat pilot in the world. It has two terminals: a Domestic Terminal and an International Terminal.
The airport is conveniently accessible by various means of transportation, including taxis, private transfers, shuttle buses, metros, and car rental services. It is also reachable via the TEM highway connection. For those seeking a more economical option, the Havataş Airport Shuttle Service bus provides an easy and affordable alternative to get to and from the airport. Additionally, parking services are available at the airport for both short-term and long-term parking needs.
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is served primarily by low-cost airlines, offering travellers a budget-friendly option for exploring Istanbul. Between 2015 and 2020, Turkish Airlines also operated from this airport before relocating to the new Istanbul Airport. However, they continue to serve Sabiha Gökçen through their low-cost carrier, AnadoluJet.
For travellers looking to reach Taksim, the iSt-16 Havaist bus provides a direct connection from the airport. This bus departs every 20 minutes during peak hours and takes approximately 90 minutes to cover the 40km distance, depending on traffic conditions. The bus ticket costs 67 Turkish Lira, offering a comfortable and convenient way to travel to and from the airport.
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It has two terminals: a Domestic Terminal and an International Terminal
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is located on the Asian side of Istanbul, about 45 km (28 mi) from the city centre. The airport is named after Sabiha Gökçen, the first female combat pilot in the world. It has two terminals: a Domestic Terminal and an International Terminal.
The Domestic Terminal and International Terminal are separate buildings at Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Emirates flights, for example, land and depart from the International Terminal, where first-class and business-class passengers can access the ISG Lounge. The airport's official website provides information on arrival and departure times and terminals.
The airport is served mainly by low-cost airlines, and flights from Sabiha Gökçen are often cheaper than those from Istanbul Airport (IST). Turkish Airlines previously operated from Sabiha Gökçen but moved its hub to the new Istanbul Airport, transferring all flights to its low-cost carrier, AnadoluJet.
For transportation to and from Sabiha Gökçen Airport, there are various options. Shuttle buses, such as the Havabüs and Havataş services, connect the airport to different areas of Istanbul, including Kadıköy and Taksim. These shuttle buses are easily accessible, with tickets available for purchase directly from or in front of the bus. Additionally, taxi and car rental services are available at the airport.
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The airport is located on the Asian side of Istanbul
Istanbul is served by two airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). Sabiha Gökçen Airport is located on the Asian side of Istanbul. The airport is named after Sabiha Gökçen, the first female combat pilot in the world. It is approximately 45 km (28 mi) from Istanbul's city centre.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport is mainly served by low-cost airlines. Emirates, for example, operates weekly flights between Dubai International (DXB) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Turkish Airlines also flew to and from Sabiha Gökçen Airport between 2015 and 2020, but after the opening of the new Istanbul Airport, the airline moved its hub there.
The airport has two terminal buildings: a Domestic Terminal and an International Terminal. There are three entrance gates for the departure area, where passengers pass through a security checkpoint and find kiosks for check-in.
To get to the city centre from Sabiha Gökçen Airport, travellers can take the Havataş Airport Shuttle Service bus, which is an easy and economical alternative. Havabüs shuttle buses also run every 30 minutes between the airport and Kadıköy on the Asian side or Taksim on the European side of Istanbul. The travel time to the ferry terminal in Kadıköy is at least 40 minutes, and to Taksim on the European side is at least 70 minutes.
Compared to Istanbul Airport, Sabiha Gökçen Airport is farther from the city, so transfers take longer and cost more. If you are visiting Istanbul for the first time, it may be more convenient to fly into Istanbul Airport, which is closer to the major sites and offers better transportation connections.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport with the code SAW is called Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport is located on the Asian side of Istanbul.
There are various transport options to get from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul, including public transportation, shuttle buses, and private transfers. The Havabüs shuttle buses run every 30 minutes to Kadıköy and Taksim, with a travel time of at least 40 and 70 minutes, respectively.
Airlines that fly to Sabiha Gökçen Airport include Emirates, Air Arabia, Azerbaijan Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and KLM, among others.
