Istanbul Airport
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| Istanbul Airport | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Istanbul Airport |
| IATA | IST |
| ICAO | LTFM |
| Owner | General Directorate of State Airports Authority |
| Operator | İGA Airport Operation Inc. |
| City-served | Istanbul |
| Location | Arnavutköy |
| Opened | 29 October 2018 |
| Hub | * Turkish Airlines * Turkish Cargo * AnadoluJet |
| Metric-elev | 99 |
| Coordinates | 41, 15, 44, N... |
Istanbul Airport. It is the primary international airport serving Istanbul, Turkey, and a major global aviation hub. Opened in 2018, it replaced Atatürk Airport as the city's main airport, featuring one of the world's largest terminal buildings under a single roof. Operated by İGA Airport Operation Inc., it serves as the global hub for Turkish Airlines and its subsidiaries.
History
The project was launched by the Government of Turkey to meet the growing air traffic demands of Istanbul and to establish a new mega-hub. Construction began in 2015 on a site in the Arnavutköy district, north of the city center. The first phase was inaugurated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the 95th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey in 2018, with all commercial operations transferring from Atatürk Airport by April 2019. The opening ceremony was attended by numerous international leaders and heads of state, symbolizing its strategic importance.
Facilities and terminals
The main passenger terminal, designed by Grimshaw Architects and Nordic Office of Architecture, spans over 1.4 million square meters. It features a striking, tulip-inspired control tower designed by Pininfarina and AECOM. The interior includes extensive retail areas operated by Unifree Duty Free and lounges such as the Turkish Airlines Lounge. The airport currently has three runways capable of handling the Airbus A380, with air traffic control managed by DHMİ. A dedicated Turkish Cargo facility is among the largest in the world.
Operations and airlines
As the global hub for Turkish Airlines, the airport connects over 300 destinations worldwide, facilitating a significant transfer traffic between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Other major carriers operating here include Lufthansa, Emirates, and Qatar Airways. AnadoluJet, a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, operates numerous domestic and regional flights. The airport is a critical base for Turkish Cargo, which operates a dedicated freighter fleet. It has rapidly climbed rankings for total passenger traffic, competing with hubs like London Heathrow Airport and Dubai International Airport.
Ground transportation
The airport is connected to central Istanbul via the Istanbul Airport Metro Line, which provides a direct link to the Kağıthane station on the M7 line. Major road access is provided by the Northern Marmara Motorway and the Temporary Istanbul Airport Road. Public bus services are operated by İETT to various city districts, including Taksim Square and Beşiktaş. Taxi services and rental car companies like Avis and Europcar are available at the arrivals level.
Future development
Upon full completion of all planned phases, the airport is designed to have six independent runways and capacity for 200 million annual passengers. Future expansions include additional satellite terminals and the further development of the adjacent Istanbul Airport City commercial and logistics zone. These developments are part of a broader vision to solidify the airport's role as a key transit point on routes between the Americas and Asia, enhancing competition with major Gulf hubs like Hamad International Airport.
Category:Airports in Turkey Category:Buildings and structures in Istanbul Category:2018 establishments in Turkey