Erdogan Opens Istanbul Airport's Fourth Runway, Cites Global Connectivity Lead
President says new runway and investments will cut taxi times, fuel use and emissions while boosting the airport's service standards.
KEY POINTS
- Fourth main runway opened at Istanbul Airport, 2,820m long, 45m wide
- Total runways increase to six; investment valued at 890 million euros
- Erdogan: 1.5 billion people in 67 countries within four-hour flight radius
- Transport investments since 2002 reach 2.12 trillion lira; active airports up to 58
- 167.5 million domestic air passengers in first eight months of 2026
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated Istanbul Airport's fourth main runway and additional investments at a ceremony on September 18. He stated the new infrastructure will reduce taxi and holding times, improve landing safety, and save fuel and time.
The new concrete runway runs east-west, measures 2,820 metres long and 45 metres wide, bringing the total number of runways to six. Erdogan said the project represents an investment of 890 million euros and will deliver fuel, time and emission savings.
“We have brought into being a Turkey that is strong at home, influential in its region, and credible in the world, together with our nation.”
Erdogan highlighted Turkey's geographic advantage, noting that 1.5 billion people from 67 countries can reach Turkey within a four-hour flight. He added that including road, sea and rail links further expands the connectivity map.
The president cited transport infrastructure investments totalling 2.12 trillion lira at current prices since 2002, including 604.4 billion lira for aviation. He said the number of active airports rose from 26 to 58 in that period.
In the first eight months of 2026, air passengers nationwide exceeded 167.5 million, nearly double the country's population. Istanbul Airport served 84.5 million passengers, ranking second in Europe.
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