Selahattin Bilgen has been serving as CEO of IGA Istanbul Airport since September 2023. Previously acting as CFO for six years, Bilgen brought his background in investment banking and the real sector into aviation, playing a key role in the institution’s growth.
“On a regular day, we serve more than 240,000 passengers, and during peak season, this number rises to 270,000. Over 100,000 people work within the airport ecosystem. Including passengers, nearly half a million people pass through this area daily. We are managing the equivalent of a mid-sized city.”
Historic Relocation from Atatürk Airport
One of the most critical milestones of the Istanbul Airport project was the massive operational relocation from Atatürk Airport. Not only aircraft but also all operational equipment and manpower were transferred to the new location.
“We meticulously carried out the ORAT (Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer) process. We trained staff using virtual reality simulations. The major relocation was successfully completed in just 33 hours.”
Talent Management and Corporate Culture
Bilgen highlights that one of the key drivers of the airport’s success is its strong corporate culture. Starting with a core team of 80, IGA now employs 11,000 people, having grown to 40,000 during the construction phase.
“We integrated professionals from non-aviation sectors into our workforce. Through IGA Academy, we provide continuous training. We’ve blended young and dynamic talents with experienced staff.”
First in Europe with Triple Runway Operations
IGA is the first airport in Europe capable of operating three independent runways simultaneously. Thanks to this technology, it can handle 120 aircraft movements per hour, with a target of reaching 148.
“We provide higher efficiency, shorter taxi times, and lower fuel consumption. By postponing the need for new runway investments, we’ve achieved savings worth billions of dollars.”
A Future-Ready Infrastructure, Planned from Scratch
Built on 76 million square meters of land, the airport is designed with a four-phase development plan to eventually serve up to 200 million passengers.
“While Heathrow’s third runway project is still pending approval, we already have five runways and the capacity to build three more. We are positioning Istanbul as a unique hub in global aviation.”
A Global Vision for Sustainability
Despite housing the world’s largest terminal building, IGA proved its environmental commitment by earning the LEED Gold Certification. The goal is to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“We are 13% ahead of our 2024 sustainability targets. With the launch of a 200-megawatt solar power plant this month, the airport’s entire electricity needs will be met from renewable sources.”
Flying into the Future with Smart Technologies
IGA’s Airport Operations Center (APOC) runs with fully integrated systems. Technologies such as AI-powered CCTV, crowd analytics, the “Follow the Greens” guidance system, and RFID-based baggage tracking increase efficiency.
“We use data-driven decision-making systems to personalize every aspect of the passenger experience. We haven’t just built an airport—we’ve built a digital city.”
Note: This content is specially prepared as a summary of the interview published on Newsweek.com.
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[…] İGA’nın Havalimanı Operasyon Merkezi (APOC), uçtan uca entegre sistemlerle çalışıyor. Yapay zeka destekli CCTV, kalabalık analitiği, “Follow the Greens” sistemi ve RFID tabanlı bagaj takibi gibi teknolojiler verimliliği artırıyor. […]