On Thursday, April 17, “Istanbul” Airport launched a system for the simultaneous operation of three runways. This is the first such experience not only for Türkiye, but also for the whole of Europe. To date, such a technology for using runways exists only in the United States, AA.COM.TR reports.

The launch ceremony was attended by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Türkiye, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, who emphasized the historical significance of the event: "This is not only the first such experience for Türkiye and the entire European aviation, it is also a turning point in world aviation. Türkiye is the only country after the United States to implement this practice."

Uraloglu noted that since its opening on October 29, 2018, Istanbul Airport has become a real "global showcase" for the country. "With an annual capacity of 90 million passengers, Istanbul Airport has brought Türkiye to a leading position in world aviation. This modern facility, which welcomes millions of passengers, has demonstrated Türkiye’s economic and cultural strength to the world, helping it become one of the leading players in aviation," the minister said.

Over the years of operation, the airport has shown impressive dynamics: if in the first year of operation more than 52 million passengers were served, then in 2023 this figure increased to 76 million. In 2024, Istanbul Airport, having served 80.1 million passengers, entered the category of "Large airports" (more than 40 million passengers per year), taking second place in the European ranking and seventh in the world.