Turkish president Erdogan unveils Istanbul's new huge airport

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The first phase of Istanbul's new airport was inaugurated on Monday with a grand ceremony attended by foreign leaders.

At the opening ceremony marking the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the name of the airport as "Istanbul Airport."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (2nd L) and his wife Emine Erdogan (L) together with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) arrive for the opening day of the Istanbul New Airport in Istanbul, October 29, 2018. /VCG Photo

"Istanbul is not only our biggest city but also the most valuable trademark of our country," he said.

The Turkish president on Monday opened Istanbul's new international airport with a grand ceremony attended by foreign leaders.

The new facility, which will cost about 11.6 billion US dollars in total, is being built by a consortium of five contractors over an area of more than 76 million square meters.

Turkish president (R), his wife (L), and other officials drive in a vehicle on the opening day of the Istanbul New Airport in Istanbul, October 29, 2018. /VCG Photo

It is reported that the airport will only offer flights to five destinations until an expanded opening on December 29, from when it is expected to handle up to 90 million passengers a year, up to 200 million when all facilities are completed in 2028.

That would be nearly double the 103.9 million passengers moving through the world's current busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson in the US city of Atlanta.

Turkish president and his wife pose with guest leaders at the terminal building on the opening day of the Istanbul New Airport in Istanbul, October 29, 2018. /VCG Photo

The opening ceremony was attended by several leaders including Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

The first flight from the new facility will be to the capital Ankara on Wednesday.

It had been rumored that the new facility would replace the city's aging Ataturk Airport, but Erdogan said it would remain in service, including for events such as air shows, adding that its unused parts would be transformed into a "national park as promised."

Press box of the local and international press members is seen ahead of the opening ceremony of the new airport, which will be held with the participation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul, Turkey, October 29, 2018. /VCG Photo

Planes and equipment are expected to be moved from Ataturk to the new facility for the expanded launch in late December.

"Ataturk Airport will continue to serve with the same name," he added.

When finished in 2028, it will have six runways and two terminals spread over 76 square kilometers.

"With its cargo and aviation terminals, parking lots, support units, and social facilities it is a really gigantic work," said Erdogan.

The opening ceremony of Istanbul's new international airport, in the Arnavutkoy district, on the European side of Istanbul, October 29, 2018. /VCG Photo

Other projects include a third bridge over the Bosphorus Strait connecting Istanbul's Europe and Asia sides, opened in 2016, and a man-made canal to relieve pressure on the strait.

Authorities say a metro line will be built to link the airport, which is near the Black Sea coast on the European side of Istanbul, to the city center 35 kilometers away.

The giant screen during the opening ceremony of Istanbul's new international airport, Istanbul, October 29, 2018. /VCG Photo

However, critics pointed out Erdogan's mega-projects as excessive and damaging to the environment, and the airport's construction was hit by controversy.

Last month, hundreds of workers struck to protest against poor conditions.

Source(s): AFP