About Istanbul
Istanbul Airport is the main international airport serving Istanbul, Turkey. It is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city. Opened in 2018 to replace Atatürk Airport, it aims to become the largest airport in the world by passenger capacity upon full completion. It is the global hub for Turkish Airlines.
The terminal building is notable for its massive vaulted ceilings inspired by Ottoman architecture, particularly the mosques of Istanbul. The tulip-shaped air traffic control tower is an iconic design element. The airport manages a huge volume of connecting traffic between Europe, Asia, and Africa due to Istanbul's strategic geographic location.
Currently operating with five runways, the master plan includes six runways and multiple terminals to handle up to 200 million passengers annually. The airport features a vast duty-free area and modern technology like biometric gates. It represents Turkey's ambition to be a global aviation superpower.