Turkish triple take-off
Turkish air traffic control and IST airport operator IGA have introduced the simultaneous operation of three independent runways. Three Turkish Airlines flights were dispatched on their way personally by the country’s transport minister.
On 17 April 2025 an important new chapter in European aviation history was opened at Istanbul airport (IST). its hourly capacity was increase from 120 to 148 aircraft movements by a new form of operation, which extends to all three main runways currently in use at the airport, which became fully operational six years ago.
A comprehensive analysis
The ambitious project began in 2022 with a comprehensive security and airspace analysis. More than 500 air traffic controllers were prepared for the new procedure in 4,500 hours of training. The development was carried out in close cooperation with Turkish Airlines, the Turkish aviation authority SHGM and other partners.
The ‘Eurocontrol Innovation Hub’ also made a decisive contribution, where unusual scenarios were played out in numerous simulations, to test operational processes under realistic conditions.
A strategic step at a major intersection
The introduction of the new ‘triple runway operating system” is more than just a technical highlight - it’s also a strategic step towards strengthening Istanbul airport as a global aviation hub. The first goal is to welcome 200 million passengers in a year. This latest development is also a milestone for the freight business, however, which is aiming to handle 4 million t in a year.
IST was one of the fastest growing European cargo airports in all of 2024 (see also page 12 of ITJ 3/2025). The new runway structure will also significantly increase capacity for cargo flights – especially at night, when belly and full-freighter traffic can be handled more efficiently.
Shorter periods spent on the ground for aircraft, fewer delays and more precise slot allocation should make the airport even more attractive for air cargo carriers with a global focus – and continue to enable it to position itself as an essential freight hub between Asia, Europe and Africa.