Turkish Airlines' historic move to IGA ushers in a new era of aviation excellence

Khaleej Times

12-06-2025

When Turkish Airlines completed the largest airport relocation in aviation history in just 33 hours, the world took notice. But what followed was even more extraordinary. The move from Atatürk Airport to the newly-built Istanbul Airport (IGA) — a state-of-the-art mega hub built under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model was more than a logistical feat. It marked the beginning of a transformative era for Turkish Airlines, one that would elevate its global standing and redefine operational excellence.
'We didn't just change airports; we changed the future of our airline,' says Erol Senol, Vice-President of Sales (Middle East & Cyprus) at Turkish Airlines to Khaleej Times in Istanbul.
'The move to IGA has been instrumental in helping us achieve ambitious growth, unlock operational potential, and enhance the overall passenger experience.'
A Strategic Leap Forward
For years, Turkish Airlines had been constrained by the limitations of Atatürk Airport. Overcrowding, limited runway capacity, and mounting congestion were beginning to clash with the airline's global growth ambitions. The solution arrived in the form of Istanbul Airport — a next-generation aviation hub, developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and operated by IGA (Istanbul Grand Airport).
Strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Istanbul Airport has emerged as one of the world's most influential air gateways since its inauguration in 2018. With a projected capacity of over 200 million passengers annually upon completion of all phases, the airport currently serves over 100 airlines flying to more than 300 destinations worldwide. Its current infrastructure, spanning three operational runways and a massive terminal with a 90-million-passenger capacity has dramatically elevated Turkish Airlines' capabilities.
'Approximately 80% of IGA's capacity is dedicated to Turkish Airlines,' explains Senol. 'This gives us the flexibility and infrastructure to scale rapidly, handle more aircraft movements, and serve more destinations than ever before.'
The numbers tell the story. Aircraft movement capacity has surged from 70 per hour at Atatürk Airport to 120 per hour at IGA, thanks to the addition of a third runway. Waiting times for aircraft have dropped from 5% to less than 1%, drastically improving fuel efficiency and on-time performance. Turkish Airlines has also taken full advantage of expanded ground facilities, doubling the size of its CIP lounges, enlarging check-in zones, and enhancing passenger flow through better boarding infrastructure.
Powering Passenger Experience
At the heart of Istanbul Airport's success is its digital-first strategy. From AI-powered customer service tools and biometric boarding to contactless check-in and real-time decision-making at its Airport Operations Centre (APOC), IGA is redefining the airport experience. The facility leverages big data analytics and location-based services to optimize everything from baggage handling to air traffic flow.
This technological backbone has been a game-changer for Turkish Airlines. 'The seamless integration of our operations with IGA's smart infrastructure allows us to offer a world-class, efficient, and stress-free travel experience,' says Senol. 'It's not just about moving passengers. It's about moving them smartly.'
The Cargo Boom
Beyond passengers, Turkish Airlines has seen explosive growth in cargo operations since the move. Cargo capacity has more than doubled from 1.2 million tonnes at Atatürk Airport to 2.5 million tonnes at IGA, with future projections reaching 5 to 6 million tonnes annually. Central to this surge is SmartIST, Turkish Airlines' proprietary next-generation cargo facility.
'We designed SmartIST ourselves to match the speed and sophistication required by global logistics standards,' Senol notes. 'As a result, we've climbed from 9th to 3rd in IATA's global cargo traffic rankings as of 2025.'
SmartIST is now recognised as one of Europe's most advanced cargo terminals, incorporating automation, robotics, and real-time tracking technologies to optimize throughput and reliability.
Overcoming Aviation's Greatest Operational Challenge
The transition itself from Atatürk to IGA remains one of the most complex and flawlessly executed operations in aviation history. The 46-kilometre move involved 1,056 trucks transporting over 47,000 tonnes of equipment, executed in under 33 hours without a single workplace accident or significant service disruption.
'We had to shut down operations at Atatürk and go live at IGA overnight,' recalls Senol. 'Any misstep could have triggered massive disruptions. But through rigorous simulations, weather contingency plans, and pre-positioned response teams, we pulled off what many thought was impossible.'
Independent Growth in a PPP Giant
While IGA's core airport infrastructure — runways, terminals, and control towers was financed under the PPP framework, Turkish Airlines made a deliberate choice to independently invest in its own support facilities. These include SmartIST, custom-built lounges, upgraded check-in areas, crew facilities, and a dedicated ground services ecosystem.
'This strategic independence allowed us to tailor every aspect of our operations to our standards,' Senol explains. 'It ensures flexibility, brand consistency, and long-term cost-efficiency.' This infrastructure, fully aligned with Turkish Airlines' operational vision, is designed not just for current demands but also for future scalability as the airline expands its global footprint.
Fleet Strategy
Today, Turkish Airlines operates a fleet of 481 aircraft —134 wide-body and 347 narrow-body jets divided between 201 Boeing and 280 Airbus models. Looking ahead, the airline has already placed orders for 355 new aircraft: 250 A321 Neos and 105 A350s.
'We're still in talks with Boeing, but we're approaching procurement with a balanced strategy,' Senol says. 'Our mixed-fleet model allows us to deploy the right aircraft on the right routes.'
This flexibility is key to Turkish Airlines' growth model. Istanbul's geographic advantage means the airline can access 78 cities in 41 countries within three hours, and over 140 cities within five. This unique proximity to global centers empowers Turkish Airlines to offer high-frequency, cost-efficient services across continents.
Unlocking IGA's Full Potential
Despite remarkable progress, Turkish Airlines is far from finished. Istanbul Airport is expected to reach full capacity by 2028, and Turkish Airlines is gearing up accordingly. By 2033, the airline plans to operate a fleet of 813 aircraft, fly to 400 destinations, and serve 171 million passengers annually, generating an estimated $52 billion in revenue.
'With the synergy between Turkish Airlines and IGA, we're ready to double our capacity,' says Senol. 'We're expanding our footprint in underserved markets and reinforcing our presence in strategic regions.'
Secondary cities in Europe, growing African economies, and emerging Asian hubs are all on the radar. By deploying smaller aircraft with higher frequency, Turkish Airlines is increasing accessibility while maintaining efficiency.
Already serving 353 destinations in 131 countries including 53 domestic and 300 international stops —Turkish Airlines continues to grow its global map. New destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Tripoli, Benghazi, Denver, Santiago, and Damascus, with upcoming routes targeting Seville and Cambodia. 'Our goal is simple: to connect more places more effectively,' Senol explains. 'It's about responding to demand, entering new markets, and enhancing existing partnerships and hubs.'
Lounge network expansions and strategic codeshare agreements are also on the horizon as part of Turkish Airlines' strategy to enhance customer experience across all touchpoints.
From smashing records in cargo and passenger numbers to embracing cutting-edge technology and gaining more autonomy in operations, the airline is shaping the future of global travel. 'Our network now reaches more countries than any other airline in the world,' says Senol with pride. 'It's something we've even secured a Guinness World Record for.'