New Istanbul Airport
As the world has been witnessing the rapid increase in the volume of people travelling by air (especially within the last twenty years), Istanbul has become a significant tourist destination as well as an important transit port due to its very strategic location (almost in the center of the world!), incredible history, liberalization of visa regimes around the world, and for many other reasons. The new Istanbul Airport came into being in 2018 as a response to the growing needs of the global air industry as well as a significant investment that will substantially increase the country’s capacity for future growth.
We would like to share a few fast facts we have learned about this amazing facility:
- Airport’s cost is $12 billion
- Annual capacity is 200 million passengers (once all phases are completed)
- Five-star Skytrax rating and five-star COVID -19 airport safety rating (only 2 airports in the world hold both awards)
- Amazing design reflecting the historical heritage of the region
- Size is 76.5 million square meters
- Zero-waist airport award
- Home to 291 shops, including famous brands
- Hosts a museum and art galleries
- Hosts a hotel within its duty free area
- Multiple lounges
- Great variety of restaurants, coffee shops and other food options
- Kids playground
- More than 40,000 parking spots
- 55,000 square meters of duty-free area
- Airport shuttle cost to the city center 30 Turkish liras (takes about 1.5 hours)
- Taxi cost to the city center 200 Turkish liras (takes about 45 minutes)
References:
https://www.afar.com/magazine/istanbuls-massive-new-airport-is-opening-in-october
https://www.claimcompass.eu/blog/biggest-busiest-airports-in-the-world/
https://www.istairport.com/en/passenger/flight-connections/airport-hotel
https://istanbeautiful.com/things-to-do-at-new-istanbul-airport/
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/istanbul-airport-museum
Photos: Universityneighbourhood