The third main runway at Istanbul’s new airport will be ready for flight operations by June 18, according to an application filed with Turkey’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
A spokesperson for the airport operating company, İGA Airport Operation, said that the third runway, located east of Istanbul Airport Terminal, will reduce the current domestic taxi times “by approximately 50%”.
The spokesperson added: “Simulations have shown that average landing time will decrease from 15 to 11 minutes, while average take-off time will decrease from 22 to 15 minutes. The second ‘End-Around Taxiway’ aiming at mitigating congestions at airports where air traffic is very heavy will also be put into service together with the new runway.
“Thus, any restrictions to aircraft ground handling will be prevented at Istanbul Airport capable to carry out simultaneous landing and take-off operations.”
Once the third runway is open, the number of fully operational runways at Istanbul Airport will rise to five, comprising three independent and two standby runways.
The new runway will increase the airport’s air traffic capacity from 80 landings-take-offs per hour to a minimum of 120, and also improve the slot flexibility of airlines.
The new runway will allow the airport to reach a capacity capable to host an average of over 2,800 landing-take-off operations daily.
Kadri Samsunlu chief executive and general manager of İGA, said: “This has been a difficult year for the aviation industry, but we see this compulsory break as an opportunity to maximize the passengers’ travel experience at Istanbul Airport.
“We expect the stagnation we have been experiencing for the last couple of months to resolve very soon. Our new runway will be immensely helpful in that sense.
He added: “There will be serious reductions in domestic taxi times, which had been criticised during our operations.”
