Istanbul New Airport

The New Istanbul International Airport

Sam Chui·April 5, 2019

The new Istanbul Airport, whose first part of first phase is complete, represents the largest infrastructure project of Turkey. The airport will be fully operational from 6th April with all the existing flight operations moved from Ataturk Airport.

I have visited the new Istanbul Int'l Airport just 2 days before full operation starts. It took about 40 minutes by taxi from Ataturk Airport (Cost 190 TL). There are good highways linking between the airport to the rest of the road networks.

Air Traffic Control Tower of new Istanbul AIrport

Video

General Information

Total Project Area: 76.5 million m²
Project Investment Cost: 10.2 Billion Euros
Airport Opening Date: 10.29.2018
The section that will start operating in 2018: Phase 1A
Phase 1A Areas: Main terminal building of 1.4 million m², 2 runways, ATC Tower and support buildings
Air Traffic Control Tower: 5.000 m², 90 meters high (Designed by AECOM and Pininfarina, inspired by the tulip figure)
Annual Passenger Capacity: 90 million passenger capacity annually in Phase-1.

Main Terminal Building

Main Terminal Building Size: 1.4 million m²
Duty Free Zone: 55.000 m²(To be managed by Unifree, the subsidairy of Heinemann Group in Turkey)
Food & Beverage Area: 32.000 m²
Private Passenger Lounges: 22.000 m²
Ticket Sale Offices: 2.500 m²
Retail Area: 10.000 m²
Check-in Points: 566 Units
Number of LET (Lifts, Escalators and Travelators): 665 Units
Passport Control Points: 228 Units
Terminal Entry Gates: 7 Units
Waiting Chairs: 20.000 Units
Number of Passenger Boarding Bridges: 143
Total Aircraft Parking Position: 371
Length of Baggage Conveyor: 42 km

New Istanbul Airport with flags of Turkey shaped roof lighting.

There are dedicated check-in for Turkish Airlines Business Class and its elite frequent flyers. Use door 5 to arrive and walk straight ahead to aisle L for priority check-in counters. There are fast track immigration and security screening in close distance.