About Istanbul International Airport (IST)
Opened:
Opened in 2018, Istanbul International Airport (IST) is the main international airport in Turkey and the
third busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger traffic. It is located 40 kilometers (25 miles)
northeast of Istanbul.
Facts and figures:
- IST has 6 runways and 1 terminal.
- In 2022, the airport handled 83,231,424 passengers and 643,637 aircraft movements.
- The airport is a hub for Turkish Airlines, the flag carrier of Turkey.
- IST is connected to central Istanbul by the M11 metro line and the IST-15 motorway.
History:
- The airport was originally called New Istanbul Airport.
- It was renamed Istanbul International Airport in 2018.
- The airport was designed by a team of Turkish and international architects.
- IST is the largest airport in the world in terms of land area.
Interesting facts:
- IST has its own mosque, hospital, and fire station.
- There are several hotels located within the airport complex.
- IST is home to a number of art installations, including a sculpture by Alexander Calder.
Fun things to do at IST:
- Plane spotting: The airport is a great place to see planes from all over the world.
- Shopping: There are a number of duty-free shops and boutiques in the airport.
- Dining: The airport has a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars.
- Relaxing: There are a number of lounges and spas in the airport where you can relax before your flight.
Whether you're connecting to another flight or spending a few days in Istanbul, Istanbul International
Airport has something to offer everyone.
Additional facts about IST:
- The airport has a capacity of 200 million passengers per year.
- The airport is home to the Turkish Cargo, the largest cargo airline in Turkey.
- IST has been awarded the "Best Airport in the World" award by the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2021 and
2022.
- IST is a modern and state-of-the-art airport that offers a wide range of facilities and services to
passengers. It is a major hub for international travel and is a key economic driver for Turkey.