Istanbul's mega airport: Istanbul International Airport
In 2018, we wrote in this blog already about the completion of Istanbul International Airport's newest airport, a project that pushed the boundaries of aviation infrastructure and set a new era for air traffic in Europe beyond. Once again, we take you through the developments of this mega airport!
Since April 7, 2019, all passenger flights from Turkish Airlines moved from Istanbul Atatürk Airport to the new airport, and the new Istanbul International Airport operational. Istanbul International Airport is now the largest airport in Europe, with the largest airport building in the world, with an impressive floor area of 1.4 million square meters. The building is equipped with the latest technological gadgets, including robots and an advanced baggage system, which, by the way, was developed by a Dutch manufacturer.
Located about an hour's drive from the city of Istanbul, in the European part of Turkey, the airport serves as the home base of Turkish Airlines. Once all phases are complete, the airport will be able to offer flights to more than 300 destinations, with an annual capacity of as many as 200 million passengers.
The construction phases of Istanbul's new airport
To successfully complete this project, a five-phase plan was established with the goal of creating a global hub for aviation. Each phase of construction focuses on expanding capacity, improving infrastructure and providing high-quality services.
Construction began on May 1, 2015. Although the first phase was initially scheduled to be operational in February 2018, the opening was eventually delayed and postponed three times until it officially took place on the night of April 6-7, 2019. At its unveiling, the airport was already able to welcome 90 million passengers annually. However, to increase the total capacity to 200 million passengers per year, two more construction phases are planned.
The five construction phases of Istanbul International Airport
- Phase 1A (completion October 2018): The eco-green terminal building and two of the total six runways were completed, along with associated taxiways and apron. The control tower was also completed on Oct. 29, 2018.
- Phase 1B (completion January-May 2019): In this phase, five hangars were built for Turkish Airlines, along with the kitchen for the catering company. In April 2019, the 451-room Yotel hotel also opened its doors. In 2020, the third runway was commissioned and Phase 1B was completed with the completion of Metro Line M11 to the airport.
- Phase 2 (late 2022): The fourth runway was constructed.
- Phase 3 (expected 2025): The airport will be expanded to include a second smaller terminal with four piers. Additional hangars and maintenance facilities will also be created, as well as the fifth runway.
- Phase 4 (expected 2027): The sixth and, for now, final runway will be completed, enabling the airport to carry up to 200 million passengers.
Competition with Schiphol
Istanbul International Airport and Schiphol are among the most important airports in Europe. Since its opening, Istanbul International Airport has rapidly gained ground as an international hub, while Schiphol has long been known for its efficiency and facilities. Istanbul International Airport's growing capacity and strategic location between Europe, Africa and Asia make it a strong competitor. At the same time, Schiphol continues to innovate to maintain its position. Both airports strive to improve services, expand networks and provide a seamless travel experience to remain competitive in the ever-changing aviation industry. The competition between Istanbul International Airport and Schiphol forces both parties to continuously improve, which ultimately benefits all travelers.
If you are going on a business trip to Istanbul soon or can make a stopover at Istanbul International Airport, I would highly recommend it! Do you have questions about your business trip to Istanbul or about the airport? We are here for U!
Travel Well!
Femke the Dog,
Business Travel Consultant
