Turkish Airlines and “The Great Move” to Istanbul Airport

In what is heralded as a “great change in Turkish aviation history,” Turkish Airlines is getting ready to move its operations from Atatürk Airport to the newly-built Istanbul Airport.

Calling it the “greatest airport projects of the world,” the airline says the moving operation will take 45 hours in total and it will be concluded on April 6th, Saturday night at 11:59 p.m.

During this time, both Atatürk Airport and Istanbul Airport will be closed for all scheduled passenger flights between 2:00 a.m. to and 2:00 p.m. on April 6th.

A new chapter  

The first stage of Turkish Airlines’ move to Istanbul Airport was back on October 29th, 2018.

“After this great move, which will be watched by the entire world, we will wake up to a new morning. It will be a morning, which the sun shining on Turkish Aviation with the flights operated at Istanbul Airport. I convey my hopes that it will bring a great fortune to both our country and company,” Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, M. İlker Aycı, stated in a release.

The last Turkish Airlines flight carrying passengers from Ataturk Airport will be the Atatürk Airport – Singapore flight; the first flight, after the move, will be an Istanbul Airport – Ankara Esenboğa Airport flight.

One big operation 

The airline says equipment weighing approximately 47,300 tons will be carried to Istanbul Airport from Atatürk Airport during the move. From aircraft towing apparatus weighing 44 tons to extremely sensitive materials, more than 10,000 pieces of equipment are equal to freight of 5,000 trucking rigs.

The operation will involve 1,800 personnel, the airline says.

Once the move is complete, IATA codes will change. After April 6th at 3:00 a.m., Atatürk Airport’s IST code will be given to Istanbul Airport. Atatürk Airport, which will be hosting cargo and VIP passenger flights, will use an ISL code.