13.06.2026 16:20
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced that Ankara Airport, whose modernization works were completed in 8 months, will serve national and international operations with the code 'ANK'. The official opening of the airport, whose runway capacity has been expanded and infrastructure allows 44 aircraft to park simultaneously, will take place on Monday, June 15, with the participation of President Erdogan.
Ankara is preparing to experience one of the historic days in its transportation infrastructure. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that Ankara Airport, which has undergone a comprehensive modernization and transformation process, will serve both national and international operations with the code 'ANK'. The airport, no longer just a military airfield, has been transformed into a global aviation center where wide-body aircraft can land and world leaders can be hosted.
PROJECT COMPLETED IN RECORD TIME, JUST 8 MONTHS
The transformation initiative at Ankara Airport was carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, within the scope of a protocol signed between the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMİ) and the General Directorate of Logistics of the Ministry of National Defense. The massive project, executed with high coordination and intense work pace, was completed in a record timeframe of just 8 months. Minister Uraloğlu stated that every detail, from modernization to connecting roads, was considered to provide a high-standard facility worthy of the capital.
CAPACITY REACHED FOR 44 AIRCRAFT TO PARK SIMULTANEOUSLY
As part of the modernization efforts, the airport's technical capacity was maximized. The existing runway, 2,450 meters long and 42 meters wide, was expanded to 3,000 meters in length and 60 meters in width. This move enabled wide-body aircraft to safely land and take off from the area. Two 15,000 square meter turnaround pads were built at the runway ends, while the total apron area was increased to 160,000 square meters, providing capacity for approximately 44 aircraft to park simultaneously.
COMPLIANT WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
Under the project, existing taxiways at the airport were completely renovated, and additional new parallel and connecting taxiways were constructed. A Runway End Safety Area (RESA) was established to maximize runway safety. The lighting systems on the runways and taxiways, approach lights, and guidance equipment were brought into compliance with international aviation standards; all mechanical, electrical, and drainage infrastructure was renewed. Additionally, a new State Guest House with 4,800 square meters of enclosed space and an open parking lot for 310 vehicles were made ready for service, while all operational units were integrated under a single digital network.
12.5 KILOMETER CONNECTION ROAD
To ensure the airport's integration with the city, a new connection road totaling 12.5 kilometers in length was implemented. This route will provide direct transportation between Ankara Airport and the Ay Yıldız Campus. In the 3-kilometer section of the divided road, modern bridge and underpass structures were built. The 140-meter-long bridge within this scope was designed with a single pylon tensioned inclined cable and extradosed architecture, and its 24-meter-wide platform was constructed using the incremental launching method. Along with the 40-square-meter underpass built on Ankara Boulevard, uninterrupted traffic flow along the route has been guaranteed.
ESENBOĞA'S OPERATIONAL LOAD WILL DECREASE
The opening of the new airport will enable a much more balanced and efficient management of the capital's air traffic. Air and ground traffic that may arise during international organizations and intensive state protocol programs will be diverted to this center, alleviating congestion on urban transportation networks. Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that this will significantly reduce the operational load on Esenboğa Airport and allow existing capacities to be used much more efficiently.
ERDOĞAN WILL CUT THE RIBBON
The official opening of Ankara Airport and its connection roads, with all preparations completed, will take place on Monday, June 15, at 1:00 PM, with a ceremony also attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.