Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (ISG), Turkey’s second busiest airport and the ninth busiest in Europe, has outlined its future plans under the leadership of CEO Alp Er Tunga Ersoy. With an annual passenger capacity of 41 million and serving 165 destinations across 55 countries, ISG is positioning itself as a key player in global aviation. The airport has seen an 18.5% growth compared to 2019, ranking second in Europe for mega airports with a capacity of 25-40 million passengers.

Key Developments and Investments

Second Runway Operations: The airport’s second runway, operational since December 2023, will be fully utilized for night operations in 2 months time. Once repairs on the first runway are completed, both runways will be fully functional within a year, marking a significant milestone for increased slot allocation.

Expansion Projects: A €35 million investment has been made to enhance existing terminal facilities, with completion expected by 2025. Additionally, €12 million will be allocated to improve passenger flow and accelerate baggage handling through the Decongestion and BHS (Shoot-Under) projects.

X-Ray Enhancements: The number of X-ray machines has been increased from 88 to 110, further boosting security efficiency.

Parking Upgrades: In April 2024, a new parking lot with a 474-car capacity was opened, with a €7 million investment underway to increase capacity by 20%.

Airline Partnerships and Route Expansions

Negotiations are ongoing with Lufthansa for the winter season, while Pegasus Airlines recently launched flights to Tuzla on August 24, and AJet is set to begin operations to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt by October. Pegasus also added nine new international routes in 2024. 

Domestically, Antalya is the most in-demand route, while internationally, London Stansted leads in demand.

Three new airlines, Batik Air, Air Cairo, and Air Arabia Egypt, started operations at ISG this year, further strengthening the airport’s connectivity.

Cargo and E-commerce Focus

In line with the growing demand for cargo and e-commerce, ISG plans to construct a new cargo facility to expand capacity. This aligns with the airport’s vision to become a leading logistics hub in the region.

Future Expansion Plans

A new terminal building with a capacity of 45 million passengers is planned between the two runways. This terminal will be connected by a rail system, with design, feasibility studies, and financing already in place. Talks with the Turkish Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and HEAŞ (Airports and Aviation Industries Inc.) are ongoing to finalize these plans.

The airport aims to increase its capacity to 80 million passengers within the next 15-20 years, leveraging its strategic location near Istanbul and surrounding cities. With strong ground transport connections and compact airport operations, ISG is positioned to become one of Europe, Asia, and Africa’s premier transit hubs.

Operational Efficiency Amid Growth

Operating for 14 years, ISG continues to modernize its infrastructure while maintaining daily operations. With 24 upgrade projects underway, worth approximately €35 million, the airport aims to complete these by mid-2025 without disrupting current services.

Passenger Traffic Milestones

ISG closed 2023 with a record 37.1 million passengers, and the airport is on track to achieve even higher traffic levels in 2024. As of June 2024, ISG reported a 16.6% year-on-year increase in passenger numbers, reaching 19.8 million, with projections showing that it will remain among Europe’s top 10 airports for passenger traffic.

Strategic Significance and MAHB Partnership

Operated by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) until 2032, ISG is MAHB’s largest international investment. MAHB, one of the world’s largest airport operators, manages 40 airports, including Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and has invested €544 million into ISG, making it a cornerstone of its global portfolio.

As Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen continues to expand, both in passenger traffic and infrastructure, it remains a crucial part of Turkey’s and the global aviation industry’s future growth trajectory