The Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) has achieved a key milestone with the inauguration of its second runway, a crucial step to meet the growing demand for air traffic and passengers. This expansion of the airport infrastructure aims to enhance its capabilities and optimize operational efficiency.
The new runway, 06R-24L, boasts a length of 3,540 meters and a width of 60 meters, surpassing the capacities of the old runway, which stretches over 3,000 meters with a width of 45 meters. The operational strategy includes the specific use of each runway, dedicating one for takeoffs and the other for landings, thereby maximizing air traffic flow.
It is projected that the investment of 970 million euros allocated to this new runway will boost the operational capacity of Sabiha Gökçen Airport to over 85 million annual passengers. This project is part of a broader national plan that has increased the number of medium and large airports in Turkey from 26 to 57.
Currently, Turkey holds the third position in Europe and the sixth globally in terms of total passenger volume. Three Turkish airports stand out among the top 20 in Europe and are among the top 50 worldwide. Sabiha Gökçen Airport, located on the Asian side of Istanbul, plays a vital role in complementing the operations of Istanbul International Airport (IST), which aims to receive 200 million passengers once all its construction is completed.
Sabiha Gökçen serves as a base for three major Turkish airlines: Turkish Airlines (AnadoluJet), Sun Express, and Pegasus Airlines. This expansion not only benefits the city of Istanbul but also strengthens Turkey’s position in the international airport landscape.
