New Istanbul Airport to open in 2018

Istanbul’s third airport, which will have capacity for 150 million passengers and is scheduled to open in 2018, is moving ahead with the selection of a design firm.

Istanbul New Airport, located 35 km from the city center on the European side of Istanbul, will be built and run by the IGA consortium. IGA comprises five Turkish contractors: Cengiz, Mapa, Limak, Kolin and Kalyon.

IGA has selected engineering firm AECOM to design the airport’s three initial runways, taxiways, apron, drainage systems, airfield ground lighting and navigational aids, with support from Turkish consultancy Deltaturk.

AECOM says the facility will be the world’s largest new airport in terms of annual passenger capacity. The airport will initially be able to handle 90 million passengers annually, ultimately growing to 150 million, supported by six runways and three terminal buildings.

“The fast-track program will require AECOM to deliver its designs within one year, with the airport due to open in early 2018. The works to be designed cover an area of approximately 16 sq k and will be completed by specialist teams in the UK and Turkey,” AECOM said.

The new airport is expected to contribute more than €32.4 billion ($36.7 billion) to the Turkish economy in its first 25 years of operation.

“The demand for mega hub airports is growing, with the most successful cities investing in air travel to attract international trade. Straddling the East and West, this ambitious plan will see Istanbul quickly become one of the most connected cities in the world,” AECOM SVP and director of global aviation Bernardo Gogna said.