İSTANBUL NEW AIRPORT opened at the end of October 2018. In the brief months it has been open, the airport garnered attention as having the potential to be the largest in the world. It can currently handle 90 million passengers annually. After all planned expansions, the airport will boast 200 million annual passengers.

Under construction with the help of 200,000 workers since 2013, İstanbul New Airport encompasses more than 823 million square feet. The airport opened with one phase completed on the 95th anniversary of the founding of Turkey. The materials used in the construction would be enough to build 80 Eiffel Towers, all the while saving 30.7 tons of carbon dioxide every year in an effort to promote environmental sustainability.

Although İstanbul New Airport is the newest airport, constructed on the European side of İstanbul, it looks to exceed its contemporaries in more ways than passenger volume. Retail and dining options continue to ramp up. By the time the airport is completed, it will feature 344,000 square feet of food and drink space and 592,000 square feet of retail space.

Turkish Airlines — the sole airline operating at the airport until next month — began by serving seven destinations. Through March the airport will add 11 destinations, with many more coming in the future. The airport will function as a hub for Turkish Airlines and currently features two independently operable runways, immediately boosting its capabilities.

The second phase of construction will include a third runway and two separate taxiways. The third phase will add another passenger terminal and will allow the airport to accommodate 30 million more passengers annually. The fourth phase will add yet another terminal and runway. Final construction is expected to wrap up by the end of 2028. In total, the airport will serve more than 300 destinations.

On the world stage, İstanbul New Airport appears to be still carving out an identity for itself. It holds massive potential in terms of scale in all aspects. In order to attract local passengers, the airport’s parking lot is free of charge up to and throughout February.

İGA, the organization behind the construction and operation of İstanbul New Airport, was formed in 2013 to construct and operate it, owning operation rights for 25 years.