The 10.5 billion euro (12 billion USD) project is set to transform Istanbul into a global travel hub between Asia and Europe.
Officially opening today (October 29) and on the Turkish Republic’s 95th national day, Istanbul New Airport is set to be one of largest airports in the world.
The 10.5 billion euro (12 billion USD) project is set to transform Istanbul into a global travel hub between Asia and Europe.
It will offer flights to five destinations from today until its full opening in end December, where it is expected to handle an annual capacity of 90 million passengers and up to 200 million when it is fully completed in 2028.
The new hub will offer five flights per day, three domestic and two international services, operating on two runways and a third one opening in 16 month’s time, according to Air Cargo news.
There will be up to six runways by the time the airport is fully operational in its final phase.
“Offering upwards of 350 destinations, the new gateway to Istanbul is already competitively positioned as one of the world’s leading air transport hubs. Everything is contained in a single terminal which itself makes an important architectural contribution to the great city of Istanbul. Besides its modern facilities, comforts, and unrivalled connectivity, İstanbul New Airport has the capacity and security to keep growing, and growing in a sustainable way, far into the future,” said Kadri Samsunlu, CEO of İGA Airport Operation, in a press release.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will rename the airport during the ribbon-cutting ceremony later today.
National flag carrier Turkish Airlines will move its base to the new airport.