Aviation Excellence: The Development of Istanbul New Airport
Overview of Istanbul New Airport
Istanbul New Airport, also known as Istanbul Grand Airport, is set to become one of the busiest airports in the world, with the capacity to accommodate nearly 200 million passengers annually by 2028. Located approximately 35 km outside of Istanbul, between Yenikoy and Akpınar along the Black Sea coast, the project is being completed in four stages with an estimated budget of €12bn ($16.65bn).
Construction and Initial Operations:
The airport's construction began in June 2014, and the first stage was completed in October 2018, allowing the airport to serve 90 million passengers per year initially. In April 2019, Istanbul New Airport replaced Atatürk International Airport and has since become the busiest airport in Europe, handling 64.3 million passengers in 2022. Airports Council International (ACI) named it the ‘Best Airport in Europe’ in October 2021.
Airport Features:
Covering an area of approximately 76.5 km², Istanbul New Airport will include four terminals, six runways, 165 passenger boarding bridges, three technical buildings, eight control towers, 16 taxiways, and an apron area of 6.5 km². It will be capable of accommodating 500 aircraft. The airport features a 42 km-long baggage system that can handle nearly 30,000 bags per hour and includes an early baggage storage system. The duty-free zone, operated by Unifree Dutyfree, spans 53,000 m² and includes almost 1,000 luxury brands. Additionally, the airport has a 150,000 m² ground services campus and a 1.4 million square meter cargo city.
The YOTELAIR hotel, located on the departure floor next to passport control, consists of 451 cabins and self-check-in kiosks. The airport is also served by a new 34 km-long metro line, operational since January 2023, connecting it to central Istanbul in just 25 minutes.
Construction Details:
The construction of the airport involves significant materials, including approximately 350,000 tons of iron and steel, 10,000 tons of aluminum, and 415,000 m² of glass. The first stage included two terminals, 88 passenger boarding bridges, a car park for 12,000 vehicles, three runways, eight parallel taxiways, a four-million-square-metre apron, and ancillary facilities. Subsequent stages will add more terminals, runways, taxiways, and aprons, with the third independent runway operational since June 2020.
Terminal 1 Design:
Terminal 1 features a plaza and traffic forecourt integrating rail, metro, and bus routes. The terminal's vaulted ceilings and skylights provide natural daylight, enhancing the check-in, security, passport control, and retail areas. The terminal layout and roof design facilitate easy navigation and streamline passenger movement. In May 2020, the terminal was registered by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) as the world’s largest LEED-certified building.
Air Traffic Control Tower:
The 90m-tall air traffic control (ATC) tower, designed as a tulip, was completed in October 2016. It has 17 floors and offers panoramic views from its glass façade. In September 2016, the Chicago Athenaeum awarded the tower the International Architecture Award.
Financing:
The construction of the first stage was financed through a €4.5bn ($5bn) loan agreement with several banks, including Ziraat Bank, Halkbank, VakıfBank, DenizBank, Garanti Bank, and Finans.
Contractors and Development:
Arup developed the project's master plan. A consortium of five local companies—Cengiz, Mapa, Limak, Kolin, and Kalyon—was awarded the contract to build and operate the airport for 25 years. The consortium won the bid with a price of €22.152bn ($30.737bn). Grimshaw, Haptic Architects, and Nordic were awarded the contract for the design of Terminal 1, while AECOM and Pininfarina designed the ATC tower.
Istanbul Airport signed a €250m ($285.8m) contract with various companies for the cargo city and ground services campus. Doka and PERI supplied formwork and scaffolding systems. Aksa provided power generators, while Gali Internacional supplied air starter equipment. Helvar provided the DALI lighting control system, and AECOM designed the airside infrastructure. ADB SAFEGATE was responsible for the airfield ground lighting design review, and Wirtgen Group provided construction equipment. Yuksel Proje managed construction supervision.
The Istanbul New Airport project is an extraordinary endeavor that stands out for its ambition, scale, and potential impact on global aviation. Here are a few reasons why this project is remarkable:
Strategic Importance
Global Connectivity: Istanbul New Airport is strategically positioned to become a major global aviation hub, bridging Europe, Asia, and beyond. This positioning not only boosts Istanbul’s prominence on the global stage but also provides significant economic benefits to the region.
Passenger Capacity: With the capacity to accommodate nearly 200 million passengers annually by 2028, the airport is poised to handle a massive influx of travelers. This will alleviate congestion at other major airports and provide a smoother travel experience for passengers.
Engineering and Design Excellence
State-of-the-Art Facilities: The airport boasts cutting-edge infrastructure, including advanced baggage handling systems, extensive duty-free zones, and modern amenities. The design of Terminal 1, with its natural daylight features and efficient layout, exemplifies modern airport architecture.
Sustainability: The airport’s Terminal 1 being the world's largest LEED-certified building demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability. This focus on environmentally friendly practices is crucial for the future of large-scale infrastructure projects.
Technological Innovations
Advanced Systems: The integration of a 42 km-long baggage system capable of handling nearly 30,000 bags per hour, along with early baggage storage systems, showcases the use of advanced technology to enhance operational efficiency.
Transportation Links: The new metro line connecting the airport to central Istanbul in just 25 minutes significantly improves accessibility, making it convenient for passengers to travel to and from the city.
Economic Impact
Job Creation: The project has generated numerous jobs during its construction phase and will continue to provide employment opportunities once fully operational. This contributes to the economic growth of Istanbul and the surrounding regions.
Investment: With an estimated budget of €12bn and significant financing from various banks, the project highlights strong investor confidence. The successful collaboration between international and local companies also sets a benchmark for future projects.
Challenges and Achievements
Overcoming Challenges: The construction involved immense logistical challenges, including the use of substantial materials like iron, steel, aluminum, and glass. Despite these challenges, the timely completion of the first stage and the ongoing progress toward full operation are commendable achievements.
Awards and Recognition: The airport’s design and construction have been recognized with various awards, including the International Architecture Award for the ATC tower. Such accolades reflect the high standards maintained throughout the project.
Overall, the Istanbul New Airport project is a landmark in modern aviation infrastructure. Its strategic location, advanced facilities, focus on sustainability, and significant economic impact make it a model for future airport projects worldwide. The successful implementation of such a large-scale project showcases what can be achieved through meticulous planning, innovative design, and effective collaboration. It sets new standards for passenger capacity and operational efficiency, promising to shape the future of global air travel.