The opening of the third runway, the new air traffic control tower and complementary facilities at Ankara Esenboğa Airport was held with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. With the inauguration, Esenboğa Airport’s operational capacity has increased significantly, while Ankara’s aviation infrastructure has also been strengthened.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Erdoğan emphasised that Esenboğa Airport holds a strategic position in Türkiye’s civil aviation vision. Erdoğan said, “Today, we are experiencing the happiness of adding another link to our chain of services. I wish that the third runway of Esenboğa Airport, the new control tower and the complementary facilities will be beneficial for our Ankara, our country and our nation.”
€298 Million Investment Implemented Without Burdening the State
President Erdoğan stated that the project was completed with an investment value of €298 million, without a single penny coming out of the state treasury. He explained that, under the project implemented without a passenger guarantee, rental income of €560 million will be generated in return for a 25-year operating period.
Pointing out that Türkiye has become a global hub in transportation and aviation, Erdoğan said, “With the goal of ‘leaving no point in the world that we cannot reach’, we have elevated Türkiye to the position of one of the countries with the widest flight networks in the world.” Erdoğan also reminded that Istanbul Airport continues its European leadership with annual aircraft traffic of 550,000 movements.
Uraloğlu: “We Have Put Ankara’s New Wings into Service”
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, who also spoke at the opening ceremony, underlined that the investments implemented at Esenboğa Airport are of great importance for the future of the capital.
Uraloğlu said, “With the participation of our President, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we experienced the pride of opening the 3rd Runway, New Control Tower and Complementary Facilities of Esenboğa Airport.”
Within the scope of the new investments:
- 3rd runway with a length of 3,750 metres,
- A modern air traffic control tower with a height of 77 metres,
- An 85,000-square-metre cargo apron,
- Fire station,
- Customs units and high-tech-equipped technical facilities have been put into service for Ankara and Türkiye.
Minister Uraloğlu stated, “In line with our ‘Century of Türkiye’ vision, with our solid infrastructure, we will continue the rise of Turkish civil aviation in the world with determination.”
With the new investments, both the passenger and cargo capacities of Esenboğa Airport are increasing, while it is aimed for Ankara to become a stronger hub in international aviation.
