Istanbul's new airport 73 percent complete, ready to operate in October 2018
Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communication Minister Ahmet Arslan paid a visit to the new airport construction site, which is the biggest infrastructure project in the world with an estimated investment cost of 10.5 billion euros, and said that the pace of construction is satisfactory, as currently 73 percent of the third airport is complete.
He said that the number of airports in Turkey increased to 55 from 26 over the course of the last 15 years while the number of passengers reached 180 million, which was 34.5 million 15 years earlier. The aim is to close the year by serving 189 million passengers.
The new airport is planned to achieve the goal for Istanbul to become a global aviation hub. The new airport will also make significant contributions to Turkey in terms of employment and economic gains.
The first phase of the new airport, which will serve 90 million people, will be operational on Oct. 29 2018, serving locals and international travelers.
The first phase of the new airport, which will serve 90 million people, will be operational on Oct. 29 2018, serving locals and international travelers.
Arslan said that the airport, once finished, will accommodate 3,500 planes. Serving a total of 1,500 aircraft at Atatürk Airport is considered a record, he noted in comparison. As for the number of airways, the minister said that the new airport will have a capacity to serve 150 airlines, reaching 350 destinations.
"Istanbul's new airport will have an apron with a capacity to accommodate 371 aircraft. When all stages are completed, this will rise to 454," Arslan said, and that all aircraft will use air bridges, which is an important convenience of the new airport.
With regard to the terminal building, it has a roof of over 461,000 square meters, which equals 58 soccer fields. Moreover, the terminal will also have 6,200 rooms and 9,000 surveillance cameras.
Arslan said 100,000 people will be employed when the first stage of the airport is opened, while 200,000 to 225,000 jobs will be available when the whole project is complete by 2023.
source: Daily Sabah
20.11.2017
