IN a move to strengthen Turkey's position in global aviation as a key intercontinental hub, iGA istanbul Airport ushered in a new era in aviation history with the launch of Europe's first-ever 'Triple Runway Operations'.
The operation was officially initiated by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu.
From the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, Minister Uraloglu gave the first command to Turkish Airlines pilots, enabling the simultaneous takeoff of three scheduled flights. This moment marked not only a milestone for iGA Istanbul Airport but also a turning point in the history of global aviation, according to London's Air Cargo Week.
With this new system - expected to make a significant contribution to the Turkish economy - iGA Istanbul Airport now has the capacity for simultaneous takeoff and landing operations on three independent runways.
As a result, the airport's hourly air traffic capacity has increased from 120 to 148 aircraft movements. This operational transformation not only optimises traffic management in Istanbul but also across European airspace, making it faster, safer, and more efficient.
The additional 28 aircraft movements per hour mean shorter waiting times for airlines, fewer delays for passengers, and reduced carbon emissions for the environment.
Commenting on the new capabilities, Mehmet Kalyoncu, Board Member of iGA Istanbul Airport said: 'This is not only a technical achievement for us, but also a strategic milestone. We have taken a significant step toward our goal of becoming one of the leading centres equipped with advanced technologies in global aviation. Today, we are commissioning the triple independent runway operations, a key pillar of this ecosystem.
'This means not only Istanbul, but also Europe's airspace will become more efficient. Istanbul is no longer just a destination - it is now a global air transport hub.'
SeaNews Turkey
The operation was officially initiated by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu.
From the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, Minister Uraloglu gave the first command to Turkish Airlines pilots, enabling the simultaneous takeoff of three scheduled flights. This moment marked not only a milestone for iGA Istanbul Airport but also a turning point in the history of global aviation, according to London's Air Cargo Week.
With this new system - expected to make a significant contribution to the Turkish economy - iGA Istanbul Airport now has the capacity for simultaneous takeoff and landing operations on three independent runways.
As a result, the airport's hourly air traffic capacity has increased from 120 to 148 aircraft movements. This operational transformation not only optimises traffic management in Istanbul but also across European airspace, making it faster, safer, and more efficient.
The additional 28 aircraft movements per hour mean shorter waiting times for airlines, fewer delays for passengers, and reduced carbon emissions for the environment.
Commenting on the new capabilities, Mehmet Kalyoncu, Board Member of iGA Istanbul Airport said: 'This is not only a technical achievement for us, but also a strategic milestone. We have taken a significant step toward our goal of becoming one of the leading centres equipped with advanced technologies in global aviation. Today, we are commissioning the triple independent runway operations, a key pillar of this ecosystem.
'This means not only Istanbul, but also Europe's airspace will become more efficient. Istanbul is no longer just a destination - it is now a global air transport hub.'
SeaNews Turkey
