Over the past several decades, the Turkish capital has been the main air transit hub connecting Asia with the rest of the world. Statistics inexorably recorded record figures of passenger traffic, and the main air gate of the country is the international airport. Ataturk - they have long demanded expansion. But there was no such possibility. In 2021, a tender was held, and the newly built Istanbul airport should become the largest and first in the world in all respects.
New Istanbul Airport Presentation
The official opening of the new Istanbul Airport, which has so far received the modest but promising name İstanbul Airport, took place on 29.10. 2021 year. The ceremony, timed to coincide with the Independence Day of the Republic of Turkey, was held with the personal participation of the President of the country.
From that time on, test operation began, and it was planned to fully open the airport, first in January, then in March 2021. During the first three months of operation, the air harbor served 187.5 thousand passengers on domestic routes, and all passenger flights were transferred from the airport. Ataturk only on April 6, 2021. By this time, the new airport received the IATA code of the old airport: IST.
So far, the first stage has been commissioned at a cost of about $ 12.5 billion. The total cost of the airport is estimated at at least $ 26 billion, and completion is scheduled for 2021.
Key features
The new hub is located near the intersection of roads from the Arnavutkoy and Chatalca districts in the north of the European part of the Turkish capital, near Lake Terkos, on an area of 7.6 thousand hectares. According to the plan of the Turkish government, the airport should become one of the largest in the world.
At the initial stage, the air harbor is able to cope with a passenger traffic of up to 90 million people a year, and by 2035 the capacity should increase to 200 million passengers.
From 6 to 30 April 2021 alone, the hub served over 4.4 million passengers. It now has 4 runways and 8 parallel taxiways.
After the completion of the construction of the runways, there will be 6, the airport will be able to serve up to 45 take-offs and landings at the same time, and the number of aircraft stands will increase from 144 to 500.
If today about 100 thousand people work here, by 2021 the number of jobs will grow to 225 thousand. Only 3.5 thousand employees and 9 thousand video cameras are responsible for security at the airport. The scale of the complex can even be judged by the number of trees planted on the territory - there are more than 5 million of them!
Airlines and destinations
Currently, the airport serves about 49 domestic and 255 international destinations, and by 2021 their number will increase to 350. From 100 to 150 airlines of the world intend to operate regular flights here (according to various sources).
New infrastructure
Designed by Aecom and Pininfarina, the 90-meter control tower is shaped like a tulip, the symbol of Turkey. So far, the air terminal complex includes one two-story terminal, divided into two wings: domestic and international lines.
The ultra-modern design of the building is due to the British architect Scott Browning, who used ornaments typical for the Islamic and Turkish traditions in the interior.
From the terminal there are 5 piers-beams: A, B, D and F - for international and G - for domestic flights. There are 114 exits (there were only 41 at Ataturk Airport), including 77 telescopic.
The structure has a usable area of 1.4 million square meters. m and the size of the roof, comparable to 58 football fields (461 thousand sq. m). The infrastructure, including the arrivals floor, can be found in the following photo.
Airport terminal
The airport received everything necessary to provide passengers with world-class comfort.
There are:
- several VIP rooms;
- hotel;
- many cafes and restaurants, fast food outlets, including Starbucks, Burger King;
- duty free shops;
- currency exchange offices;
- bank branches and ATMs;
- tax refund Tax Free;
- pharmacies;
- lockers;
- car rental.
There are 114 self-check-in terminals, 44 prayer rooms for Muslims (22 for women and the same number for men), a mosque for 6 thousand people, two temples of other religions, several children's playrooms. 32 thousand square meters were allocated for restaurants and cafes, and the total area of business halls is 22 thousand square meters.
The Priority Pass lounges at the new Istanbul airport are not yet operational, although there are two: IGA Lounge ─ € 59 per person, and Turkish Airlines Lounge - for employees only.
For passengers with visual impairments, special passages have been created in the terminal. For the elderly and people with disabilities, special areas are provided in the registration areas.
A paid service is offered to escort passengers from the boarding gate on a buggy.
Both in the building and in the parking lot, an internal navigation system is provided, including about 9 thousand signs with colors and symbols of international standards.
Departure / Arrival Zones
The terminal has a comfortable waiting area for arriving and departing passengers. They offer self-service check-in kiosks, including baggage, automatic passport control systems and boarding gates.
The size of the check-in hall and passport control area can be judged by the number of windows. The first has 468 windows and the second has 228 windows. Therefore, before departure, you should inquire about the layout of infrastructure facilities, office premises, and so on, indicated in the following diagram.
Location and transportation information can be obtained from the websites of the air harbor and the airport operator IGA, as well as online applications where the map function is available.
In addition, the following mobile apps are available:
- getting a boarding pass;
- receiving flight information in real time;
- informing about a variety of offers, including trade;
- indication of the location of trade and service areas.
There are two security checkpoints in the terminal: in the public access area (before passport control) and in the sterile area. As before (and at other airports), you will have to go through the metal detector twice: at the entrance to the airport terminal and at the entrance to the departure area.
Here it is necessary to provide a boarding pass, present gadgets and all electronic devices, turn on the screens of tablets and laptops at the request of employees, while the procedure time is reduced due to scanning with advanced X-ray machines, thermal imagers and other innovative sensors.
Passport control takes place promptly and takes no more than 2 minutes.
There are no visa desks, so you need to arrive at the airport with printed e-visas. Passengers can board the aircraft using a barcode on their mobile device.
Passing security without an identity document is impossible. For security reasons, it is necessary to present the original identity document (passport) at the security checkpoint.
If the transfer is less than 75 minutes, look for the pink Short Connection International sign.
Volunteers in lilac T-shirts are sure to help if you get lost.
Parking options
Paid round-the-clock parking for 40 thousand cars is available for motorists. The multi-storey covered parking lot is designed for 18 thousand cars and includes 5 blocks: one three-storey and four seven-storey ones.
The outdoor parking is capable of accommodating 22 thousand cars. After the completion of all stages of construction, the capacity will increase to 70 thousand cars.
Here you can use the services of a car wash, tire fitting and refuel the car. Video surveillance and physical security are carried out around the clock. You can find your car using the WhereIsMyCar app.
The amount of fees is set by the airport administration.On the official website of the hub there is an online calculator with which you can determine the cost of parking in advance.
There are 3 car pick-up points in total: one on each departure floor of domestic and international terminals and one at the CIP terminal. There are 2 delivery points between the Plaza Venue and the car park, one for domestic and international terminals.
Hotels
The hotel in the new Istanbul airport called Yotel is right in the terminal. The inputs and outputs are shown in the photo below.
It is the largest hotel in Europe and the third largest in the world, integrated into the airport complex. There are 456 comfortable rooms, due to their small size, called cabins: 174 in the sterile zone and 277 - before passport control.
The hotel is located next to the duty-free, has bars, restaurants, recreation areas with green atriums for the promenade, health centers, a 24-hour gym, a conference room for negotiations, its own check-in kiosks; offers super-fast free Wi-Fi.
Moreover, you can get to the hotel both from the street and from the side where the transit zone is located. You can book a room on the hotel website. A double room costs from € 160 per night without breakfast.
A few kilometers from the airport there are Park Inn by Radisson or Durusu Club Hotel where you can save money. You can see the cost of accommodation in other hotels on the website.
Additional service
Duty Free occupies a huge area - 55 thousand square meters. m, divided into 9 sectors. Those who wish are provided with a paid escort service. In the check-in and arrival areas, there are shops where you can buy mobile phones and pay for communication services.
Baggage wrapping service is provided in the check-in area for departure. There are two storage points for lost luggage in the arrivals area, and electronic lockers in the check-in area. Lost items with the personal signature of the passenger can be received at the lost and found office upon a special application.
There are 21 currency exchange offices in the arrivals halls, open 24 hours a day. The terminals of the main Turkish banks (Denizbank, QNB, Yapı Kredi Bank, Halkbank, TEB, Ziraat Bank, İş Bank) can be found on the Arrivals (16 units) and Departures (32) floors. There are 9 ATMs installed in the sterile zone.
Free Wi-Fi can be used for two hours, but this requires registration with a mobile number. Internet access services are also provided in many cafes.
Medical points at the level of departure and transfers are open around the clock, there is a pharmacy.
The terminal also houses a tailor shop, a cleaning machine, a shoe repair kiosk and hairdressing salons.
There is a dry cleaning service in the meeting area.
A telephone and a staff call button are installed at entrances No. 1, 3, 5 and 7, which connect the parking lot with the departure area. There are four more telephones in the arrivals area that passengers with disabilities can use to request escort. Detailed information can be found on the airport website.
Smoking is prohibited on the territory, however, in total, the terminal has 14 places where it is allowed: 4 in the international departure area, 2 in the domestic departure area, 1 in the international transfer area, 2 at the ground level H (Mezzanine) and 5 - near every pier.
If the transfer time exceeds 6 hours (connecting up to 24 hours inclusive), you can use the free travel services of the Turkish national air carrier. Touristanbul is already operating at the new airport. The schedule of excursions to Istanbul can be found in a special section of the Turkish Airlines website.
Tax Free
The value added tax refund points are located in the public area before departure, as well as after the passport control area for international flights.
The road to the airport
The airport is located away from urban areas. About 35 km from the border of the Turkish capital and 55 km from the main tourist area of Sultanahmet. Taksim is 53 km away and Kadikoy is 65 km away. Therefore, arriving tourists are especially concerned about how to get to the center.
Today they have few options. This is a taxi, a private car or a rented car, or a bus. In the period 2019-2020, two metro lines will connect the airport to the city, and a high-speed tram line to the second airport (Sabiha). The road to the city today takes about 1.5 hours, excluding traffic jams.
Metro
Already at the end of this year - early next, the metro should start working. The first line will connect the airport with the Gayrettepe station (located in the Levent area), where a transfer to the M2 line is available.
The second line will appear by the end of 2021 and will allow you to reach Halkalı station (exit to the railway station) in 20-30 minutes.
However, there is information about a possible postponement.
Bus service
Buses from the third airport of Istanbul by Havaist and IETT companies go to the city in the daytime and at night with an interval of 15-50 minutes. Istanbul Seyahat provides passenger transportation from 06.00 to 21.30 daily. The journey from the new airport to the center of Istanbul will take 90-100 minutes.
The fare varies from 15 to 25 Turkish liras. Travel for children under 6 years old is free.
Payment is made only with the Istanbul Card, which must be replenished with a minimum of 25 liras. It is recommended to purchase them in advance at kiosks, which, among other things, are available at the airport.
The exact timetable, routes and how to get to the new airport in Istanbul can be found on the official portal of the carrier Havaist. We also recommend installing mobile applications in which you can view the route:
- The application of the first company is called Havaist.
- The IETT flight schedule can be found on the company's website. The application of this company is named Mobiett.
- The schedule and routes of Istanbul Seyahat buses (flights to Tekirdag, Corlu and Nereye) can be found on the website of this company.
In general, bus services adhere to the following schedule, depending on the direction:
- from the new Istanbul airport to Sultanahmet and back ─ every half hour, seven days a week;
- Taksim: every 15 minutes (at night, every half hour);
- Yenikapi: after 20 minutes (at night ─ up to 40 minutes);
- Besiktas: every 15 minutes during the day, after 20-30 minutes ─ at night;
- Medzhivekiy: every 15 minutes during the day, every 30-45 minutes at night;
- Kadikoy: every 30 minutes.
Buses leave every hour for Alibekey, Arnavutkei, Bahchesehir, Bakirkey, Basaksehir, Haji Osman, Khalkali, Kemerburgaz, Mahmutbey, Pendik, Sanjaktepe and Sariyer.
The Havaist company operates flights from the airport on the following routes:
- IST-1Y: to Yenikapı, where you can change to the green (M2), red (M1) metro lines and the Marmaray line;
- IST-7: to Kozyatağı metro station in the Asian side, where you can change to the pink line M4;
- IST-19: to Taksim metro station, where you can change to the M2 line;
- IST-3: to the Otogar bus station, where a transfer to the M1 line is available;
- IST-2: goes to Tuyapa.
The IETT company serves the following routes with its metro buses:
- H2 to Mecidiyeköy metro station, where you can change to the green M2 metro line;
- H3, which goes to the Halkali stop near the railway station;
- H4, which takes you to Ataturk Airport.
Railway
The launch of the high-speed train to Sabiha Gokcen Airport is scheduled for the end of this year. If you look at the third airport of Istanbul on the map, it becomes clear that the traffic route will cross the Turkish capital from west to east entirely. This will be the most comfortable way to travel, and possibly the most economical.
Transfer and taxi
Uber and its Turkish counterpart BiTaksi, as well as KiwiTaxi, operate in Istanbul. But they are not allowed to enter the new airport, since it organizes its own taxi service, which will number 660 cars in distinctive livery.
But you can order a transfer from the new Istanbul airport to anywhere in the country. The cost of the service will be slightly higher, but the driver will meet you with a sign, take your luggage and escort you to the car. You will have his phone number if something goes wrong.
In addition, he will not drive you in circles, since the cost of the trip is known in advance. And local taxi drivers are normal here, because payment is always only by the meter.
At the parking lot at the domestic and international terminals, you can take a taxi from the new Istanbul airport in one of three colors: black (car class E), blue (class D) or orange (class C). Operators have the same tariffs:
- landing: 3 lira ($ 0.5 or 33 rubles);
- fare for one 1 km: 2 lira ($ 0.34 or 22 rubles).
An average trip to the center will cost about 140 liras ($ 23.5 or 1,530 rubles). If you are going to fly away, it will be useful to know the correct name of the new airport in Istanbul. There is no proper name yet, but in Turkish it is called Istanbul Havalimani (Istanbul Havalimani) or Yeni Havalimani (Yeni Hawalimani - “new airport” in Russian).
Car rent
Car rental is available at the arrivals terminal. Currently, 17 companies provide services at the airport, including several serious ones: Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Avec Car Rental and Budget.
The counters are located in the arrivals area.
The cost of a budget sedan is from $ 30 per day. It is more convenient to choose a rental option using the Rentalcars website.
Reference data
The airport has its own address: Tayakadın Mahallesi, Terminal Caddesi No: 1, 34283, as well as an official website: www.istanbulhavalimani.com.
Hotline phone: 444-1-442.
If you have any questions, you can contact the administration via email: [email protected].
You can get acquainted with the airport in absentia using a virtual guide, and with the surrounding infrastructure using a Google map.
Directly on the main page of the air harbor website, you can see the online scoreboard. Flights can be tracked on an analogue basis in Istanbul Airport applications for iOS and Android, which are free in the official Play Market and AppStore stores.
Conclusion
The airport is huge and the transport is not perfect yet. Transitions between descents / ascents to different levels, passing all procedures at the airport (registration, security screening, passport control) takes a lot of time.
Considering the size of the air harbor and the difficulty with the road, according to the reviews of our tourists, it is necessary to plan a trip two hours earlier than usual. By the way, in order to avoid being late for flights, Aeroflot officially asked passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before the planned departure time.
