Istanbul Airport officially opens

Erdoğan announced to over 5,000 guests at the official grand opening that: “The largest airport in the world shall be known as Istanbul Airport.”

Among those assembled to hear the President officially launch the new mega-hub included the leaders of over 10 countries and 50 other ministers and senior officials drawn from other nations with important business relations to the new airport.

Erdoğan said that Istanbul Airport would become an employment site for 225,000, and make a single contribution of 4.9% to Turkey’s GNP.

“While Istanbul Airport is the new home of Turkish Airlines global hub, we have also received significant interest from other airlines on the possibilities of launching new routes and frequencies, especially because of the ease of access created by dramatic increase in slots availability – within 16 months we’ll have a third runway, doubling the airside capacity over the existing airport,” said Kadri Samsunlu, CEO of İGA Airport. “I am tremendously proud of this day and what we have achieved since the concept of the airport was first announced in January 2013.”

Mert Başar, chief commercial officer İGA, added: “Besides well over 40,000 square metres of duty free retailing, we offer a complete blend of ‘global and local’ shopping and eating choices in what will be one of the most important platforms for the introduction of Turkish products and hero brands to millions of people from different nationalities.”

Following the official opening, preparation and testing will continue until end-December during which Turkish Airlines has launched an interim schedule of three domestic and two international services. After the full end-year transfer of the Turkish Airlines hub, and all other airline services, Istanbul Airport will be capable of processing 90 million passengers, later rising to provision for 200 million passengers, and upwards of 350 destinations. With the completion of all phases in 2025 Istanbul Airport will be a six-runway facility.