30.10.2025 21:11
A new metro line is coming to Istanbul. The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, stated that the works on the Halkalı-Istanbul Airport Metro Line are continuing at full speed, and said, "After successfully completing the certification process, we aim to put the entire line into service before the end of the first quarter of 2026."
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, who participated in the review and test drive program of the Halkalı-Istanbul Airport Metro Line Arnavutköy-Halkalı section, made statements following the presentation made to him regarding the project.
"THE LENGTH OF THE RAIL SYSTEM BUILT ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL APPROACH 853 KILOMETERS"
Uraloğlu stated that urban rail systems save citizens time with fast, safe, and comfortable transportation, facilitate daily life, ensure that workers reach their workplaces and students reach their schools more safely and quickly, and allow the flow of life to continue uninterrupted.
Minister Uraloğlu said, "These projects, which bring a historical and cultural treasure like Istanbul together with the necessities of the modern age, add new and strong pages to the story of all our cities. In this regard, as the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, we have implemented very important urban rail system projects, especially for our citizens living in metropolitan areas."
Stating that the length of the urban rail system lines they have completed and put into service across Turkey has approached 434 kilometers, Uraloğlu noted that they are continuing the construction of 122 kilometers of urban rail system lines and planning 297 kilometers of new lines. He expressed that when the ongoing and planned projects are realized, the length of the rail systems built by the Ministry across the country will approach 853 kilometers.
"WE WILL ADD ANOTHER NEW METRO LINE TO ISTANBUL"
Minister Uraloğlu stated that they have opened 161.8 kilometers of rail system lines in Istanbul so far, emphasizing that they are continuing with the projects, and that work is ongoing on a total of 22 kilometers of lines, including the Halkalı-Istanbul Airport Line's Halkalı-Arnavutköy section and the Altunizade-Bosna Boulevard Metro.
Uraloğlu expressed that the Ministry has undertaken a new project to extend the Altunizade-Bosna Boulevard Metro Line to Ümraniye Sports Village, saying, "We will add another new line of 4.5 kilometers by opening the stations of Yavuztürk, Kazım Karabekir, Topağacı, and Ümraniye Sports Village from Bosna Boulevard. Thus, the length of the line under construction will reach 26.5 kilometers, and the total length of the lines we have built in Istanbul will reach 188.3 kilometers."
"WE ARE CONTINUING WORK RAPIDLY ON THE ARNAVUTKÖY-HALKALI SECTION"
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Uraloğlu stated that the entire Gayrettepe-Istanbul Airport Metro Line will be put into service on January 29, 2024, and that the 31.5-kilometer-long Halkalı-Istanbul Airport Metro Line, consisting of 7 stations, has a 14-kilometer-long Arnavutköy-Istanbul Airport section that was opened last year.
Uraloğlu mentioned that the Istanbul Airport, Taşoluk, and Arnavutköy stations are operational in this section and explained the advantages of the integration of this line with other rail systems. He noted that they are rapidly continuing work on the 17.5-kilometer-long Arnavutköy-Halkalı section, which is not yet open, stating, "When we complete this section, we will have completed a 69-kilometer ring line, which will be the longest and fastest metro line in Turkey and one of the longest in the world, under the name 'Halkalı-Istanbul Airport-Gayrettepe Metro Project.'
Providing information about the current status of the project construction, Uraloğlu stated that they have completed the tunnel excavations and reinforced concrete productions, achieved 97% progress in the finishing works of the stations, and that test works are ongoing in the electromechanical and signaling processes. He expressed that after the completion of train integration, they will start signaling tests and move on to the certification process.
THE TIME BETWEEN HALKALI AND GAYRETTEPE WILL BE 57 MINUTES
Minister Uraloğlu stated that the finishing works, landscaping, and electromechanical productions at the ongoing construction sites of Fenertepe, Kayaşehir, Olimpiyatköy, Halkalı Stadium, and Halkalı stations are nearing completion, and that with the completion of this section, the line will be integrated with the Bakırköy-Kayaşehir, Ataköy-Olimpiyatköy, Kabataş-Mecidiyeköy-Mahmutbey-Esenyurt, and Yenikapı-Halkalı metros, as well as Marmaray.
Uraloğlu mentioned that thanks to these integrations, the travel time between Halkalı and Istanbul Airport will be reduced to 30 minutes, Halkalı-Göktürk to 43 minutes, Halkalı-Kağıthane to 54 minutes, Halkalı-Gayrettepe to 57 minutes, Küçükçekmece-Kemerburgaz to 50 minutes, and Başakşehir (Metrokent)-Kağıthane to 48 minutes.
"WE AIM TO PUT IT INTO SERVICE BEFORE THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2026"
Uraloğlu stated that for the first time, a signaling system developed with domestic and national resources is being used in the Halkalı-Istanbul Airport-Gayrettepe Metro Project, and expressed: "Now, we had planned a driver-operated test between Halkalı and Olimpiyatköy stations, but with the latest tests conducted by our colleagues, we will conduct a small driverless test drive. However, when the actual certification processes begin on December 15, our metro vehicles will pass these tests without a driver.
We will gradually convert all 10 sets currently in service with drivers to a driverless system. After successfully completing the certification process, we aim to put our entire line into service before the end of the first quarter of 2026. We wish you all the best in advance.
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SOLVE ISTANBUL'S TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM FROM THE SURFACE"
Minister Uraloğlu stated that it is no longer possible to solve Istanbul's transportation problem from the surface, and that studies have shown that Istanbul needs a 1004-kilometer metro line. He mentioned that Istanbul currently has 380 kilometers of metro line and that when the ongoing projects of the Ministry are completed, this length will approach 407 kilometers. Uraloğlu said: "This means that over 600 kilometers of metro line needs to be constructed. In a city like Istanbul, which is a historical and cultural treasure, rail systems are indispensable for meeting the requirements of the modern age. At this point, as the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, we are always by the side of Istanbul and the people of Istanbul under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. We will continue to work until we establish a fast, safe, and comfortable transportation network that meets the needs of the people of Istanbul."
TEST CONDUCTED WITHOUT A DRIVER
After his statement, Minister Uraloğlu took a photo with the employees and then participated in a test drive with his companions. The test drive of the metro line between Halkalı and Olimpiyatköy stations was conducted without a driver. Uraloğlu stated after the test drive, "We tested approximately 7.5 kilometers in 6 minutes. We were able to reach a speed of 121 kilometers per hour. This is the first in Turkey and one of the few in the world. Of course, this was a test journey. Our vehicle (metro) is produced in Ankara with over 60% local content. In that sense, it is valuable. Today's plan was for a driver-operated test, but after intense efforts day and night, we conducted the test without a driver."
.