A Comprehensive Guide into Istanbul International Airport: History & Facilities
Istanbul International Airport, also known as Istanbul Grand Airport (IGA), is considered the world's primary connecting airport. Situated strategically on Istanbul's European side with access to flights coming in from Europe and Asia alike, IGA serves as an essential central airport hub.
Ataturk Airport was once considered one of Europe's busiest airports; today it stands as one of Europe's five busiest passenger traffic airports since 2013. Together, Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen airports handled more than 100 million passengers between them in 2017 alone!
Ataturk Airport was struggling to meet rising demands because of its location between three city areas and Marmara Sea on one side, and Sabiha Gokcen being full. To provide sufficient space, it was decided to build a separate airport far from any urban centers.
As such, Istanbul Airport began operations in October 2018. Once completed in 2028 through four phases of construction, this megaproject aims to become the world's biggest airport.
Thе Nеw Istanbul Intеrnational Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport is thе city's nеwеst airport and is rеgardеd as a major accomplishmеnt of thе Turkish govеrnmеnt. Thе nеw aviation hub that was addеd to Istanbul's two еxisting airports (Ataturk Airport and Sabiha Gokcеn Intеrnational Airport) started accеpting passеngеr flights on Octobеr 29, 2018.
IST boasts one of the largest duty-free areas in the world. There is now only one operational terminal, five operational runways (out of six when the project is fully done), and five concourses that house the several airlines that use the airport for their flights to and from it. Not to mention, the airport offers unique services and amenities, and of course, it is an ecologically friendly airport with the latest technology installed throughout.
Despite ongoing development, Istanbul Airport opened for business on April 6, 2019. It also adopted the IST code. The airport covers an area of 76.5 million square meters and has a single terminal that is 1.4 million square meters in size. The terminal includes three separate runways, an air control tower, and various facilities. It is used for both domestic and international departures.
Nevertheless, distinct terminal buildings will eventually be constructed for VIPs and private aircraft. The airport is now a key gateway for transit between Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is set to grow into an even more important aviation hub. By 2025, it is anticipated to handle over 200 million people.
Istanbul International Airport in Numbers
| Passengers | 307,960,229 |
|---|---|
| Shopping Stores | 181 |
| Food & Drink Areas | 114 |
| Parking Areas | 1 million sqm- 40000 parking spaces |
| Flights Facilitated | 2,083,712 |
| Destinations | 315 |
| Cargo Locations | 100 |
As of January 1, 2024, the current passenger count stands at 55,460,824 with 358,986 flights completed.
Is IST Airport and IGA the Same?
Thе airports known as Istanbul Grand Airport (IGA) and Istanbul Airport (IST) arе thе samе. Thе organization in chargе of dеvеloping and managing Istanbul's main airport is callеd Istanbul Grand Airport (IGA). However, thе airport itsеlf is formally known as Istanbul Airport (IST). So, IST is thе standard codе namе for thе airport itsеlf but IGA is thе namе of thе businеss that runs thе airport.
Istanbul Airport Terminal Layout
Istanbul International Airport (IST) currently has just one terminal building, yet it is the largest terminal facility in the world to be housed under one roof. The striking terminal is divided into Arrivals and Departures sectors.
It has five piers: three boarding areas on Pier F and the fifth, Pier G, serve the domestic destinations, while the other four, Piers A, B, D, and F, service the international boarding gates. When the airport is fully constructed, four terminal buildings should be present.
Istanbul Airport Security and Airside Safety
Security checkpoints at Istanbul Airport scan all departing and transferring passengers and their belongings to stop forbidden objects from being brought into restricted areas or onto the aircraft.
The Istanbul Airport verifies compliance with national and international airside operation regulations while staying updated on aviation developments. It ensures that operational processes comply with the airport handbook, instructions, and procedures.
The airport also implements improvement procedures, conducts on-site examinations of accidents and incidents, and distributes NOTAMs to maintain current information.
Facilities and Amenities at IST
For those after some entertainment before or between flights, the airport has various facilities to cater to a range of passengers.
Retail Stores and Duty-free Shopping Areas
The airport's 'Diamond' area, a glitzy space with designer shops like Gucci and Dior, offers a variety of luxury shopping options.
Restaurants and Bars
The airport offers everything from grab-and-go outlets and fast food to high-end international cuisine and Turkish-inspired restaurants.
Art Galleries and Museums
The airport has a 1,000 sqm museum on the international departures floor, making it the world's largest airport museum. It's operated by the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry and features 316 works from various periods.
Airport Hotel
Yotel Istanbul is a great hotel located inside the Istanbul airport, perfect for travelers or those whose flights are delayed. It is divided into two areas: Yotel Airside, in the Istanbul airport's departure area for flights abroad, and Yotel Landside, which is open to everyone and is beyond the transit zone.
Family Services and Playground
There are five kids’ playgrounds throughout the airport, each based on a different theme, and a virtual experience center is set to open in the coming months.
Lounges and Spa facilities
There are many IST Airport lounges available at the airport in the departure area for members of particular airline loyalty programs, alliances, and pay-per-use services.;
Additionally, several pop-up lounges are located closer to the gates so that travelers can still have a little privacy right before departure.
Business Centers
The airport has some areas for business travelers with plug and USB ports integrated into the seats. Passengers can also collaborate at long, communal high-top tables, which come equipped with plug connections and USB ports.
Pharmacies & Airport Medical Center- Medicana
The departure floor has three pharmacies. Travelers over 65 can receive free blood pressure checks.
The Medicana Health Group treats millions of patients with its location at Istanbul Airport. It is gaining new insights into the tourism and health sectors.
Information Desk & ATMs
Hearing aid users can obtain induction loop devices at the information desks. There are braille signs advertising services at the information point at the end of the tactile paving, which is the building directly across from the terminal door.
Various banks and ATMs are available at four different locations.
Baggage Wrapping/ Lost & Found Offices
The Lost & Found Property Offices can be found next to YOTEL opposite entrance number 7 and gate C3 and after passport control opposite the gate.
Use Baggage Wrap service at Istanbul Airport to protect your luggage from scratches, breakages, or damage.
Other Services include:
- Luggage storage
- Prayer rooms
- Pet rooms / Pet relief areas
- Wi-Fi
- Travel agencies and tour operators
- Special services and amenities for passengers with disabilities
Parking Options at Istanbul Airport
Istanbul International Airport's parking lots are dispersed over five blocks. Since IST Airport has 40000 parking spaces, it can meet all of its customers' parking needs. There are 18.000 parking spaces on five blocks of the airport parking.
It includes the terrace levels of the five parking buildings and the outdoor parking lots. The five parking structures have color-related names. As a result, the airport's parking lots—Purple, Yellow, Blue, Red, and Turquoise—are located inside its boundaries, somewhat near the terminal building. Both short-term and extended stays are permitted in all of the parking lots.
Parking Fee Prices:
| Duration | Car fare | Motorcycle |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum 1 hour | 70₺ (1.86€ / 2.06$) | 35₺ (0.93€ / 1.03$) |
| 1-3 hours | 80₺ (2.13€ / 2.36$) | 40₺ (1.06/ 1.17$) |
| 3-6 hours | 120₺ (3.19€ / 3.53$) | 60₺ (1.60€ / 1.77$) |
| 6-12 hours | 135₺ (3.59€ / 2.25$) | 70₺ (1.86€ / 2.06$) |
| 12- 24 hours | 190₺ (5.05€ / 5.58$) | 90₺ (2.39€ / 2.64$) |
| Every month | 2430₺ (64.61€ / 71.45$) | 1150₺ (30.58€ / 33.82$) |
Transportation Options to Istanbul Airport
The new Istanbul Airport has a competent transportation system that will provide multiple transfer options to Istanbul's city center in its final form.
Passеngеrs find various transit options for their journey from IST Airport to their final dеstination. Travеlеrs who want to gеt from Istanbul Airport to thе city cеntеr can choosе onе of thе following options for thеir transit:
An airport taxi:
Private taxi transfer from IST Airport is availablе 24/7 rеaching thе city cеntеr in about 40 minutеs
Istanbul airport busеs:
Run to and from thе IST airport with public transfer tickеts ranging in pricе
Istanbul Mеtro Linе M11:
Thе nеw Mеtro Linе M11 also sеrvеs Istanbul Airport and a high spееd train will connеct thе nеw landing fiеld to thе “old” Sabiha Gökçеn Airport.
If you want to skip public transportation and arе looking for a privatе airport transfеr and you can book a car rеntal.
