The third phase of the renovation of the duty-free area at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, featuring a ‘walk through’ (uninterrupted passage) concept, has been completed.  Passengers pass through the duty-free shops after passing through international passport control, reaching the boarding gates with a more comfortable experience.

As part of the ‘Passenger Flow Improvement Project’ carried out at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (ISG) International Airport with the aim of increasing passenger satisfaction and operational efficiency, the duty-free shopping area has also been renovated.

At Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen, ‘The City's Airport’, optimization efforts to meet increasing demand amid high growth rates are being carried out in a planned manner without affecting passenger traffic. One of these efforts was the renovation of the DUFRY store, operated by Switzerland-based Avolta. Parallel to the ‘Passenger Flow Improvement Project’ that has been ongoing at the airport since 2024, the duty-free shops, which are exempt from customs duties, have also been renovated with a modern concept to provide guests with a unique customer experience. 

A new space was designed with a ‘walk-through’ concept in a large area of 4,364 square meters, where Sabiha Gökçen passengers can shop comfortably.  This allows guests to shop for chocolate, perfume, cosmetics, tobacco and alcohol products, clothing, and electronics after passing through international passport control.

A new space has been designed with a ‘walk-through’ concept, covering an area of 4,364 square meters, where Sabiha Gökçen passengers can shop comfortably.  This allows guests to pass through the DUFRY area, which offers a stylish atmosphere and sells chocolate, perfume, cosmetics, tobacco and alcohol products, clothing, and electronic devices, after passing through international passport control and before reaching the boarding gates.

The new open-sided area, which offers a comfortable shopping experience with the feeling of spaciousness it provides, creates a modern atmosphere suitable for the airport's increasing passenger capacity and dynamic structure when boarding the plane.

The project is seen not only as a physical change at the airport but also as a strategic step that directly contributes to passenger satisfaction. With the completion of phase 4 at the end of the year, a grand opening is planned.

Providing information about the renovation work, ISG Technical Services Director Levent Çelik stated that the most important of the arrangements within the scope of the Passenger Flow Improvement Project was carried out at the international flights passport control point, saying, "At this point, we changed the locations of the security control and passport counters. Our goal is to ensure that passengers complete passport control first, pass through security comfortably, and spend their dwell time, or waiting time, as efficiently as possible."

Çelik stated that in order to renovate the international passport control point, the duty-free area, which was previously located at the rear, was moved to the street concept along the passengers' walking route to the gates, and that the third phase of this commercial area revision, which had been ongoing for months without affecting daily passenger operations, had been completed.

Stating that the new arrangement prevents congestion at security and passport control at the International Gate and speeds up circulation in these areas, Çelik said that after passing through the control points, guests can freely shop at duty-free stores or spend time comfortably in the food and beverage areas.

DUFRY Store Manager Hakan H. Döker stated that the staff working at the stands during the day supported the renovation project with great dedication, sometimes working night shifts as well. "Before the store concept, we implemented a street concept on the walkway to the gates, and now, in this third phase of the renovation, we have implemented a walk-through concept. During this process, we underwent a serious reorganization process in the duty-free shopping area, day and night, without disrupting operations or obstructing passenger flow. It was not easy to carry out this work during operating hours without affecting our guests' travel experience. Today, we are witnessing the success story of the third phase."