New Istanbul airport opens, launches first flight to Baku
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has officially opened the first phase of the new Istanbul Airport on 29 October – Turkish National Day. The aircraft of Turk Hava Yolları company operating the first flight from the new Istanbul airport has landed at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport. The airport which spans around 823 million square feet in size, is poised to become the world’s largest airport when completed in 2028.
Having departed from Istanbul at 09:30, the aircraft landed in Baku at 13:25. Starting from November 8, one flight from Istanbul Airport to Baku will be carried out daily.
The Ataturk Airport in Istanbul will end operating flights at 00:00 (GMT +3) on Dec. 31. Beginning from 00:00 (GMT +3) on Dec. 31, all passenger and cargo flights will be operated from the third airport of Istanbul.
The airport features six runways, some 233 aircraft parking spots, over 500 check-in desks, and an airport city incorporating offices, residences, hotels, health centers, art buildings, and a shopping mall. Currently able to serve 90 million passengers, the airport is expected to serve 200 million passengers once its construction is complete. The first phase was completed in 42 months and consists of the main terminal building, two runways, an air traffic control tower, and supporting buildings. With the completion of all phases in 2025, Istanbul Airport will be a six-runway facility
“The Istanbul Airport, with its architecture, construction, operation and financing, is a project which is a source of pride for Turkey and sets an example to the world. Turkey, with Istanbul Airport going into service, has become the most important transit hub between north-south and east-west axes. The Istanbul Airport connects 60 countries and $20-trillion economies across the vast area it serves. With Istanbul Airport going into service, the European air space will need to be restructured. Istanbul will now become the major transfer hub, which will greatly change the intercontinental flight routes,” President Erdoğan said.
