European airports have embarked on ambitious expansion plans, vowing to increase annual passenger numbers to 200 million.
This would be a significant increase from the current level of welcoming 90 million travellers per year, making it the largest airport in the world.
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The airport is already leading in Europe and now wants to lead worldwide.
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The aviation hub aims to expand its annual capacity to 200 million flights. Photo: LNP
Istanbul Airport has embarked on a four-phase expansion, with the second phase scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.
At that time, capacity is expected to grow to 120 million, before surging towards 200 million by the end of 2028.
The ambitious plan includes six new runways.
The aviation hub opened its doors to travelers in October 2018 and was fully operational by April 2019.
The airport attracts a huge number of passengers as it is the gateway to Europe on the one hand and the Middle East and Asia on the other.
Since its inception, the company has grown rapidly.
It is expected to handle 76 million passengers in 2023, a significant increase from 52.75 million in 2019.
Now the airport’s operator, IGA, wants to send it into the stratosphere.
CEO Selahattin Birgen declared: “Once all phases are completed, passenger numbers will reach 200 million.”
“Investment in the second phase began last summer and, when completed by the end of 2025, will increase capacity to 120 million.”
In an interview with CNBC, he said the airport is now leading the way in Europe.
“Istanbul Airport is breaking records in the European aviation industry,” he said.
“Around 80 percent of our passengers are international passengers, half of whom are transit passengers, who contribute directly to our economy through their foreign exchange expenditure.”
But he added that Chinese passengers have more financial means and he hopes to attract more people to choose Turkey as a destination rather than just a stopover.
“These passengers typically spend more than European travelers, spending an average of $50 per person for just a few hours,” Birgen said.
“One of our goals is to increase the number of passengers choosing Turkey as a destination rather than just a transit point.”
In another ambitious move, the airport wants to introduce “triple parallel operation”, which would allow three planes to take off and land at the same time.
There are no signs of it being used in Europe yet, with trials due to take place later this year.
“This can only be seen in the United States. It’s difficult to say the exact date for the three runways, but this is a great honor for both Istanbul and Turkey,” Birgen said.
According to the European Aviation Safety Agency, it became Europe’s busiest airport in January, beating London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
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The airport hopes to encourage more customers to visit Istanbul. Photo: Getty
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Istanbul Airport’s chief executive says taking the lead is a proud moment for Turkey. Photo: Reuters
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