Turkey has celebrated a significant moment in aviation history with the official inauguration of Istanbul Airport, which is set to become the world’s largest airport upon completion. The grand opening took place on Monday (April 8), coinciding with Turkey’s Republic Day celebrations, and was presided over by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The sheer scale of Istanbul Airport is matched only by its ambitious vision. Designed as a global transit hub bridging continents, the airport boasts an impressive capacity that outstrips even the busiest aviation centres worldwide.
By 2021, it is expected to handle up to 90 million passengers annually, with plans for expansion to accommodate a staggering 200 million travellers in the future. To put this into context, this capacity nearly doubles that of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, in Georgia, USA – the busiest airport in the world as of last year.
However, the journey to this aviation wonder has not been without controversy. The construction of the airport, led by Erdogan’s government, has faced scrutiny and tragedy.
Reports suggest that at least 30 workers lost their lives during the construction phase, highlighting the human cost behind the project’s ambition.
Despite these challenges, Istanbul Airport symbolises Turkey’s bold vision for its future as a global aviation powerhouse.
With its strategic location straddling Europe, Asia, and Africa, the airport aims to redefine air travel by facilitating seamless connectivity across continents.
Istanbul Airport’s sheer size and infrastructure are among its most impressive features. With six runways, four more than London’s Heathrow Airport, it is built to accommodate the massive volume of air traffic expected in the future.
The airport’s phased construction includes multiple terminals, boarding bridges, extensive parking facilities, and ancillary infrastructure to support its mammoth operations.
The shift to Istanbul Airport will be a significant turning point for Turkey’s aviation sector. Plans are in motion to transfer all operations from Ataturk Airport to Istanbul Airport by year’s end, marking the end of an era for the iconic airport that has served as Istanbul’s gateway for decades.
As Istanbul Airport takes off, it not only represents an extraordinary engineering achievement and ambition but also ushers in a new era in Turkey’s aviation history.
