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Istanbul Airport

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Did you know Istanbul Airport is the largest in Turkey? It is also the second-busiest airport in Europe. Today, we are standing at Istanbul Airport. It is a place of movement and connection.

Istanbul Airport is located in the Arnavutköy district. This is on the European side of Istanbul. The airport officially opened on 29 October 2018. This date marked the 95th anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

Before Istanbul Airport, Atatürk Airport served Istanbul. Atatürk was a busy airport but it could not expand. It was hemmed in by the city and the Sea of Marmara. So, the decision was made to build a new airport. This new location would have plenty of space.

The construction of Istanbul Airport was divided into stages. When complete, it will serve 200 million passengers per year. The first stage included a main terminal. It can handle 90 million passengers annually. This makes it the world’s third-largest airport terminal building.

Istanbul Airport has five concourses: A, B, D, F, and G. Concourse G is for domestic flights only. The control tower is shaped like a tulip. The tulip is the Turkish national flower.

The full transfer from Atatürk Airport happened on 6 April 2019. Hundreds of trucks moved over 10,000 pieces of equipment. The IATA code IST moved to the new airport.

Getting to Istanbul Airport is easy. The M11 metro line connects to the city. Public buses and taxis are also available. The O-7 motorway provides car access.

The Ali Kuşçu Mosque is near Istanbul Airport. It can accommodate 6,000 worshippers. It is the world’s first LEED Gold certified mosque. The U.S. Green Building Council recognizes this.

In 2023, Istanbul Airport served over 76 million passengers. This made it the seventh-busiest airport worldwide. It is a hub for Turkish Airlines. It serves 122 countries.

Controversies marked the airport’s construction. There were concerns about the environmental impact. Also, worker protests broke out due to poor conditions.

Istanbul Airport continues to grow. It aims to be the world’s largest airport. It connects people and cultures globally. Its story is one of ambition. It is also a testament to Turkey’s role as a bridge between worlds.

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