Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 4
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
The period of operations’ transfer from the Istanbul Ataturk Airport to a new airport has changed, a source in the Turkish government told Trend Oct. 4.
It was expected that the transfer of operations from the Istanbul Ataturk Airport would be completed by mid-October, but now a new date has been defined - December 30-31.
“However, the opening of the third airport in Istanbul will take place on October 29,” said the source.
The first test flight was successfully carried out at the third airport in Istanbul on May 29 under the control of the General Directorate of State Airports Authority of Turkey (DHMI).
The third airport has been built near the Lake Terkos in northern Istanbul.
Currently, flights are operated from Turkey to 282 destinations. After the third airport's commissioning, the number of destinations will increase to 350.
About 300 passenger and service elevators have been installed at Istanbul’s third airport.
Airport City, including shops, logistics and exhibition centers, has been also built at the new airport.
The first airport in Turkey was built in 1912 and was used for military purposes. For the first time the Istanbul airport was opened for international flights in 1953 and in 1985 it was renamed in honor of founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
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