ISTANBUL

Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, the mega city’s Asian gateway to the world, will host over 50 million passengers thanks to a new renovation of Terminal 1, said the head of Türkiye’s Defense Industries Secretariat.

Haluk Gorgun, speaking on the sidelines of the project’s opening ceremony, said the airport is a product of the country’s model to develop an integrated aviation, defense, and advanced tech ecosystem solution.

Gorgun said the air hub is one of Türkiye’s most strategic gateways to the world, providing direct connections to 154 destinations in some 54 countries, working with 23 airlines. Sabiha Gokcen Airport boasts 39 domestic routes alongside some 115 international ones.

“Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport served more than 245,000 flights and 44 million passengers this January–November, and we expect to reach over 48 million passengers by the end of the year,” he said.

The rising number of passengers using the air hub necessitates the comprehensive development of runways, airside facilities, and terminal infrastructure, which is why the secretariat implemented the Terminal-2 and Terminal-1 integration project in cooperation with HEAS, the airport’s management company.

Gorgun said Terminal-1, built in 2000, served as the international terminal of the airport until 2009, and now it has been repurposed to serve as a satellite terminal and support the main terminal, balancing the operational load. The 240-meter (787-foot), fully enclosed, and air-conditioned bridge linking Terminal 2 and Terminal 1 will allow passengers to go from terminal to terminal with ease.

3-phase project

The Terminal 1 renovation project includes three phases, starting with the opening of an area featuring a remote aircraft waiting lounge with five exit gates that can serve 10 aircraft at a time, duty-free stores, dining options, children’s play areas, and support units for passenger needs.

Phase two, which is under construction, will involve the integration of the passenger lounge with baggage claim systems, new passport control points, and the expansion of the transit/transfer passenger passage areas.

“This project, implemented with an investment of around €70 million ($82.3 million), will contribute 5.5 million more passengers annually to the airport’s passenger capacity, enabling Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen to serve over 50 million passengers,” he said.

He said the secretariat and HEAS will work on expanding existing capacity with investments like Terminal 3, a 13-stop intercity transportation area, parking arrangements, metro exit integration, and more.