Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu has announced that a “Triple Independent Runway Operation” will be implemented at Istanbul Airport. Turkey will become the first country in Europe to adopt this system.
In a written statement, Minister Uraloğlu declared that a new era is beginning at Istanbul Airport, one that will accelerate air traffic and increase capacity. He said, “From now on, it will be possible for three aircraft to land and take off at the same time at Istanbul Airport. This system is currently only in use in the United States. Turkey is the first country in Europe to implement it.”
A European First: Triple Independent Runway Operation Set to Begin
As part of the project, which began in the final quarter of 2022, intensive work was carried out in 2023 and 2024 in cooperation with Eurocontrol, the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMİ), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM), and Turkish Airlines (THY). During this process, comprehensive meetings, risk analyses, safety assessments, and simulations were conducted.
“Istanbul’s Strategic Position Will Be Further Strengthened”
Emphasising that the new implementation will further reinforce Istanbul Airport’s role in global air transport, Minister Uraloğlu shared the following details:
“A new airspace design has been completed, and control systems have been adapted for triple operations. Airline companies have been duly informed. Our Air Traffic Controllers have received special training via our domestically developed simulator. According to EUROCONTROL’s European Aviation Overview Report dated 26 March 2025, Istanbul Airport recorded an average of 1,326 daily flights during the week of 17–23 March 2025.”
New Runways to Be Inaugurated with Ceremony
The three independent runways to be brought into service under this implementation will be officially inaugurated on Thursday. Thanks to this new operational capacity, air traffic management at Istanbul Airport will become more efficient, further solidifying its position among Europe’s busiest airports.
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