12.04.2025 12:03
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, announced a new project related to Istanbul Airport. Uraloğlu stated, "Three planes can land and take off simultaneously at Istanbul Airport." He also mentioned that they have started the construction of the highway between Antalya and Alanya, noting that the travel time between the two centers will be reduced to one hour.
One of the busiest airports in Europe, Antalya Airport's new terminal buildings are being put into service. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced a new project regarding Istanbul Airport during a live broadcast on CNN Türk from Antalya Airport. Uraloğlu stated, "Three planes can land and take off simultaneously at Istanbul Airport."
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu explained a project that will greatly contribute to transportation and tourism in the Mediterranean region. He announced that the travel time between Antalya and Alanya will be reduced to 1 hour. Uraloğlu, who said, "We have started the construction of the Antalya-Alanya highway," noted that a faster and more efficient transportation network will significantly contribute to the region's economic and social life.
"OUR TARGET FOR ISTANBUL AIRPORT IS 200 MILLION PASSENGERS"
Minister Uraloğlu continued his speech as follows: There are very positive developments in tourism in Turkey. There are developments in the transportation sector. Antalya Airport, our tourism capital, is our destination. Last year, we closed with 39 million passengers, while the terminal capacity was 35 million. It was necessary to build domestic and international terminals, and we have built them. We increased the capacity from 35 million to 82 million. The capacity of Istanbul Airport is 90 million, and our target is 200 million, making this the second largest airport in terms of capacity. There is a ceremony density, it will be used on Tuesday.
Let's measure ourselves; a few hours of flight distance, sometimes even more, to the USA, China, etc. That flight may not tire you, but the passport control, luggage waiting, check-in processes at your airport, etc., are things we cannot tolerate much. If the environments at the airport are nice, we can spend enjoyable time. We do not want people to spend time here after 2-3-4 hours of travel if they do not want to. We want them to go to their hotels, etc.
We increased the capacity in domestic flights from 37,000 square meters to 75,000 square meters, and in international flights from 90,000 to 224,000 square meters. We built a state guesthouse. We hosted high-level guests from all over the world at the guesthouse. The guesthouse is located near the VIP exit. This is not just to relieve the indoor spaces; the recently built buildings are smart buildings, with automation and heat management. To ensure the quick entry and exit of incoming guests, we increased the vehicle park from 1,960 to 7,200.
Previously, 60,000 tankers were coming to the airport annually for fuel supply from the seaport; we eliminated tanker traffic at the airport with a 29 km pipeline. This is important in terms of security and exhaust emissions.
"WE WILL NOT HAVE ANY CAPACITY PROBLEMS FOR 30 YEARS"
This year, the number of passengers will exceed 40 million in Antalya. We predict it will exceed 45 million by the 2030s. I can say that we will not have any capacity problems for a period of about 30 years. Last year, Antalya closed the season with 20 million tourists.
REQUEST FOR AIRPORT OPERATION FROM LIBERIA
At last night's dinner, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia was at the same table. He wants us to operate the airports in his country. We provided the necessary contact information. We are definitely open to this. After the dinner, he went to our President and mentioned this issue. We will send a team to contribute to the operation and expansion. This was a situation that developed suddenly. Similar requests are coming in. They want Turkish Airlines flights.
Due to the fact that the Turkish contracting sector has the largest 40 contractors in the world and that we have built large structures recently, there is serious demand in the field of transportation and operation. Madagascar is saying please come. It’s not just about making money there; you are also developing relationships.
AIR CAMPUSES
We call them air campuses. There will be campuses where free landings and takeoffs can be made. There will be campuses for private jets, training aircraft, and emergency response aircraft. We are considering about 9 locations. We are thinking of Antalya and Niğde in the first phase. It is one of the areas with a high risk of Mediterranean fires. During periods when we use a lot of aircraft, air traffic is affected. We think that if we establish alternative campuses, we will not affect the existing air traffic. We will take steps in this regard next year.
TRAVEL TIME BETWEEN ANTALYA AND ALANYA IS REDUCED TO 1 HOUR
Ercan Airport has a capacity of 10 million. There was no freedom due to sanctions. We just said that we do not want them to wait too long at the airport after arriving in Antalya. If going to Alanya, it takes 3-4 hours. We have started the construction of the Antalya-Alanya highway, and it will take 1 hour. We are converting the intersections with heavy traffic on the way from Kemer into overpasses. We had completed the divided roads opening to the north. We had completed the Demirkapı Tunnel between Konya and Antalya. The road is still the only mode of transportation providing door-to-door access and is valuable. We continue to invest in it in a comprehensive sense.
"THREE PLANES WILL LAND AND TAKE OFF AT ISTANBUL AIRPORT AT THE SAME TIME"
Currently, about 110 different airlines are traveling to IGA from around the world. They do not go much outside the USA. They have their own domestic markets and do not go out much. Istanbul Airport has a capacity of 90 million, and we closed last year with 80 million. Our target is 200 million, and to achieve this, we need a lot of runways there. There is a runway in the north-south axis, and a runway is being built in the east-west axis, which will be completed. We will increase our runways to 5. Infrastructure investments are expensive, and we need to use them to the maximum. There are currently 3 runways at IGA, and planes are landing and taking off on two of them simultaneously. Starting from April 17, we will provide a triple aircraft combination for the first time in the world after the USA. Three planes will be able to land and take off at the same time.
It will start to be directed from the tower of Atatürk Airport. They can say let three planes come and land, but it is not easy. You will need to approach IGA's 3 runways parallel over the Sea of Marmara and land and take off. This is very valuable.
Atatürk Airport performs 80 flights in winter and 130 flights in summer, both general and cargo aviation. It is still among the top 10 airports in Turkey. General aviation, cargo, and intensive aircraft maintenance activities will continue. We will implement the Silicon Valley in the terminal buildings we are conducting with the Ministry of Industry there.
The new terminal of Sabiha Gökçen will not be ready by May. It will be postponed to autumn. More work has come out than we anticipated. We have managed to achieve relief there by making arrangements at the existing airport. Discussions are ongoing with the current operator regarding the new terminal. It is thought that the tender will be held within 2 years after it starts. It is an airport operated by SSB. We will clarify it in May. The construction of a new terminal and investments may require a revision of the contract. We are in talks with the current operator.
One runway is not enough at Esenboğa; we built a third runway. We will take some of them for maintenance. We built the tower so that it can see the runways well; we will finish it this month and hold the opening. We want to make Ankara active for international flights.