Ankara Airport was officially opened on Monday in Türkiye’s capital, marking a key infrastructure addition ahead of the upcoming NATO leaders’ summit scheduled for July 7–8.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the new transport links are designed to ensure direct and efficient access for visiting delegations arriving for the high-level meeting.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Erdogan noted that the new airport and its supporting road network significantly reinforce Ankara’s aviation and transport capacity as the city prepares to host the international gathering.
“With the 3-kilometer connection road in the divided-road section, we will provide direct access for delegations attending the NATO Summit,” he said.
The facility becomes the second airport serving the capital after Esenboga Airport, which already handles both domestic and international traffic.
Erdogan stated that the airport project and associated infrastructure were completed in what he described as a “record” 230 days. He added that a 12.5-kilometer connection route has been constructed, consisting of 6.5 kilometers of divided roadway and 6 kilometers of single-lane road, forming a 17-kilometer transport corridor linking the airport to the city center.
He further emphasized Ankara’s growing role in global diplomacy, saying the city’s importance in international travel and political engagement is steadily increasing alongside Türkiye’s global influence. “Türkiye, located at the heart of 67 countries with a population of 1.5 billion within just a four-hour flight distance, has now begun to become a place where the heart of international diplomacy beats, with Ankara, Istanbul, and Antalya,” he said.
Looking ahead, Erdogan referenced several major international events Türkiye will host in 2026, including the Zero Waste Forum on June 5–7, which is expected to attract over 5,000 participants from 183 countries. He also highlighted the upcoming International Astronautical Congress in October, followed by the Organization of Turkic States Summit and the COP31 Climate Summit in November, alongside the NATO gathering in July.
Erdogan said, “With Ankara Airport, we have not only brought a new project to our capital. We have also revived a work that left deep marks on our aviation history,” referring to the site’s origins in 1933 under the republic’s founder Gazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and its long-standing use in military aviation.
He detailed the extensive upgrades carried out at the facility, including the extension of the runway from 2,450 meters to 3,000 meters and an increase in width from 42 meters to 60 meters, alongside full renovation of runway shoulders. Two turning pads totaling 15,000 square meters were also constructed, along with a new 160,000-square-meter apron capable of accommodating up to 44 aircraft simultaneously.
Modern aviation systems, including lighting, approach systems, and navigation signage, were upgraded to meet international civil aviation standards. A 4,800-square-meter state guesthouse and parking facilities for 310 vehicles were also added to the airport complex.
Erdogan added that the airport is now fully equipped for wide-body aircraft and official state operations, supported by expanded runways, upgraded taxiways, and enhanced infrastructure. He also highlighted the construction of the 140-meter Başkent Aviation Bridge over a high-speed rail line, noting that its 10,000-ton deck was installed using a technique not previously applied in Türkiye.
During the recent nine-day holiday period, Türkiye’s airports recorded 51,962 aircraft movements and served 7.6 million passengers, he said. Esenboga Airport alone ranked as the country’s fourth-busiest airport, handling 2,557 aircraft movements and 382,000 passengers.
Erdogan noted that Esenboga, which handled around 3 million passengers annually two decades ago, now serves approximately 15 million passengers each year. He added that the launch of Ankara Airport is expected to reduce pressure on both air and road traffic along the Esenboga corridor.
The presidential aircraft was greeted at Ankara Airport with a water salute prior to the ceremony. Following a prayer, Erdogan officially inaugurated Ankara Airport, the Başkent Aviation Bridge, and the associated connecting road network.
