The Istanbul metropolitan area is reaching a fundamentally new level of transport connectivity. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Turkey announced the successful completion of construction and commissioning works on the strategic section Halkalı — Arnavutköy with a length of 21.75 kilometers.

This final segment completely closes the grand seamless underground artery collectively known as "Halkalı — Istanbul Airport — Gayrettepe Metro." With the commissioning of the final section, the total length of this unique circular line will reach a record 69 kilometers, officially making it the longest and fastest metro line in Turkey and one of the largest fully underground transport systems in the world.

New Stations and Large-Scale Transport Hub Integration

The Minister of Transport Abdulkadir Uraloğlu emphasized that the launch of the new section opens access for passengers to key socio-economic, educational, and sports clusters of the city. On the newly opened Halkalı — Arnavutköy segment, the following key stations are being brought into full operation:

• Ibn Haldun University: Provides direct connection with the Vezneciler — Sultangazi — Fenertepe metro line;
• Kayaşehir: Becomes an interchange hub for the Bakırköy — Kirazlı — Başakşehir line;
• Olimpiyatköy: Integrates with the Ataköy — İkitelli rapid transit line;
• Halkalı Stadium: Opens a transfer to the future Kabataş — Mecidiyeköy — Mahmutbey — Esenyurt line;
• Halkalı Station: The terminal point of the line, providing end-to-end integration with the cross-border railway system Marmaray.

Radical Reduction in Travel Time Between Key Districts

The main advantage of closing the 69-kilometer underground ring will be unprecedented travel speed between Istanbul's remote districts. Thanks to advanced engineering solutions and increased operational train speeds, passenger travel times will be reduced several times:

Investment Perspective: Transport Hub as a Guarantee of Property Value Appreciation

For professional investors in foreign real estate, the completion of such a large-scale infrastructure project is a direct signal for asset revaluation. Locations that have gained direct connection to Istanbul International Airport and the business heart of the city (Gayrettepe) automatically move into the category of highly liquid zones with guaranteed demand.

Experts recommend paying special attention to residential and commercial complexes in the areas of Halkalı, Arnavutköy, and Başakşehir. The ability to reach the country's main aviation hub in just 30 minutes without traffic jams sharply increases the investment attractiveness of these territories for long-term rental from airline employees, expats, and business travelers, guaranteeing apartment owners stable rent indexation and price capitalization.