19.06.2026 14:51
The 22-kilometer Halkalı-Arnavutköy section of the Halkalı-İstanbul Airport Metro Line went into service today. With a total length of 69 kilometers and entirely underground, the project is one of Turkey’s longest and fastest, and among the world’s few metro lines of its kind. Speaking at the ceremony, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, "Until July 31, our Halkalı-İstanbul Airport metro line will be free for our citizens."
The Halkali-Arnavutkoy metro line, which will significantly strengthen Istanbul's rail system network, is being inaugurated today with a ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. With this section, the final link of the Gayrettepe-Istanbul Airport-Halkali project, the two sides of the city are united by a giant rail system corridor.
With the Halkali-Arnavutkoy section to be inaugurated today, the Gayrettepe-Halkali line, reaching a total length of 69 kilometers, has been completed. This giant line, built entirely underground, holds the title of Turkey's longest and fastest metro-class route. The metro, which will reach an operating speed of 120 kilometers per hour, ranks among the top similar projects in the world in terms of length.
ERDOGAN MADE THE FIRST JOURNEY
Prior to the ceremony, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the first journey on the Arnavutkoy-Halkali metro line. Erdogan also conducted inspections on the Halkali-Istanbul Airport Metro Line.
5 NEW STATIONS ARE PUT INTO SERVICE
The new 22-kilometer section includes Ibn Haldun University-Kayasehir-Olimpiyatkoy-Halkali Stadium-Halkali stations. With these stations becoming operational, approximately 1.5 million citizens living in the Basaksehir and Kucukcekmece districts gain direct rail system access to the airport and the city center.
The new line draws attention with its full integration with existing transportation networks. At Halkali station, connections are established with MARMARAY, the High Speed Train (YHT), the Halkali-Bahcesehir Commuter Line, and the Yenikapi-Kirazli-Halkali Metro. Additionally, along the line, transfers can be made to the M3 metro at Kayasehir, the M9 metro at Olimpiyatkoy, and the M7 line under construction at Halkali Stadium.
HALKALI-ISTANBUL AIRPORT: 30 MINUTES
Travel times are significantly reduced thanks to the provided integrations and high-speed capacity. The travel times valid from today are as follows:
- Halkali - Istanbul Airport: 30 minutes
- Halkali - Gayrettepe: 57 minutes
- Halkali - Kagithane: 54 minutes
- Basaksehir (Metrokent) - Kagithane: 48 minutes
DOMESTIC SIGNALING AND FULLY AUTOMATIC DRIVERLESS SYSTEM
With its technological infrastructure, the line is also a "project of firsts," using Turkey's first domestic and national signaling system developed by ASELSAN. Of the total fleet of 100 vehicles (25 sets), 15 sets were produced entirely to driverless standards. With the completion of the line today, operations will switch to a "fully automatic driverless system," offering higher safety and passenger capacity.
ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF 935 MILLION EUROS
In the project's projection until 2043, the total economic benefit from savings in road maintenance and operating expenses and time savings is expected to reach 935 million euros. It is estimated that merely from the reduction in traffic congestion, 117 million hours will be saved in time spent on the roads.