Istanbul Airport: Turkey’s New Global Aviation Hub
Istanbul Airport (IST) is one of the most ambitious aviation projects in modern Europe and stands as a symbol of Turkey’s rapid development in global air travel. Since opening, it has quickly become a major international hub, known for its scale, advanced design and enormous passenger capacity.
Origins and Opening
Istanbul Airport officially opened in October 2018, with the first commercial flight taking off shortly afterwards. Full operations began in April 2019, when all passenger flights were transferred from the former Atatürk Airport to the new site. Located in the Arnavutköy district on Istanbul’s European side, the airport occupies a strategic position close to the Black Sea.
Size, Design and Capacity
The airport’s main terminal covers approximately 1.44 million square metres, making it one of the largest terminal buildings in the world. During its first phase, Istanbul Airport was designed to handle 90 million passengers per year. Once the entire multi-phase project is complete, the airport is expected to accommodate 150 million passengers annually, with a potential future capacity of up to 200 million.
The full development plan spans four phases:
- Phase One included the enormous main terminal, two pairs of runways, extensive apron areas and supporting infrastructure.
- Phase Two involves a third independent runway, an additional remote runway and further taxiway and apron expansions.
- Phase Three will introduce a second major passenger terminal with space for another 60 million passengers, more runways and new support buildings.
- Phase Four includes potential satellite terminals and another runway, creating a vast aviation complex capable of handling some of the highest passenger volumes in the world.
Once fully completed, Istanbul Airport will operate six runway sets (eight runways in total), supported by 16 taxiways and parking space for around 500 aircraft. Car parking capacity will also expand significantly as the airport grows.
Recent Developments
In April 2025, Istanbul Airport reached a major operational milestone by switching to simultaneous operations on three runways, increasing efficiency and throughput. Work is also under way on a fourth runway, expected to be completed around 2026, pushing the airport’s capacity closer to 120 million passengers annually.
Even in its early years, Istanbul Airport has handled extremely high passenger numbers. By 2022 it had already surpassed 60 million passengers, placing it among the busiest airports in Europe. Just one year after its initial opening, traffic had already exceeded 40 million.
Facilities and Passenger Experience
Passengers benefit from a wide range of facilities including:
- Spacious departure halls and modern check-in zones
- Numerous lounges, including exclusive Turkish Airlines lounge complexes
- Hotels, prayer rooms and medical centres
- Retail spaces, restaurants and duty-free areas
- Conference facilities and business services
The airport also serves as the central hub for Turkish Airlines, significantly expanding the carrier’s global reach.
Strategic Importance
Istanbul Airport enhances Turkey’s role as an international bridge between Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. By consolidating most of Istanbul’s air traffic into one state-of-the-art facility, the airport alleviates pressure on older airports and positions Turkey as a major global transit centre.
The airport strengthens:
- International connectivity
- Cargo transport capacity
- Tourism growth
- Turkey’s long-term aviation strategy
Challenges and Considerations
As with many mega-projects, Istanbul Airport has not been without controversy. Issues raised include environmental concerns, the scale of land development required and questions about construction working conditions. Nevertheless, the airport continues to expand its role in global aviation.
Looking Ahead
With further phases still to come, Istanbul Airport is on course to become one of the world’s most important aviation hubs. Its combination of ambitious design, vast capacity and strategic location firmly positions Turkey at the forefront of international air travel.
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