İGA Istanbul Airport broke new ground in Turkish aviation history with the “Triple Independent Runway Operation” that it implemented as of April 17, 2025. Thanks to this new system, Istanbul Airport became the first airport in Europe that can land and take off on three independent runways at the same time.
The operation officially began when Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu gave simultaneous takeoff instructions to three scheduled Turkish Airlines (THY) aircraft from the Istanbul Airport air traffic control (ATC) tower. DHMİ General Manager Enes Çakmak, İGA İstanbul Airport Board Member Mehmet Kalyoncu, İGA Holding CEO Atalay Gümrah, İGA İstanbul Airport CEO Selahattin Bilgen and Turkish Airlines Board & Executive Committee Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat also attended the ceremony that witnessed this historic moment.
Hourly Air Traffic Capacity Increases to 148
With this new system, which is expected to make significant contributions to the Turkish economy, the hourly air traffic capacity of İGA Istanbul Airport has increased from 120 to 148. This increase will ensure that traffic management not only in Istanbul but also in the entire European airspace becomes faster, safer and more efficient. This operational transformation, which means an additional flight capacity of 28 per hour, means shorter waiting times for airlines, fewer delays for passengers and less carbon emissions for the environment.
The strong support and contribution of Turkish Airlines, Türkiye's flag carrier, also plays a major role in this significant success. With its wide flight network connecting Istanbul to the world and superior operational capability, THY increases the effectiveness of this operation and takes the passenger experience to the highest level.
“Istanbul is Now the World’s Air Transportation Hub”
Emphasizing that the operation is an important milestone not only for İGA Istanbul Airport but also for Turkey and the global aviation sector, İGA Istanbul Airport Board Member Mehmet Kalyoncu stated that they are proud to be the first airport in Europe to put this system into operation. Kalyoncu said, “I would like to state with great happiness that; as of April 17, 2025, we are officially starting triple independent runway operations at İGA Istanbul Airport, we are breaking new ground in Europe and increasing Türkiye’s contribution to the international travel and aviation ecosystem. This is not only a technical achievement for us, but also a strategic threshold. The Triple Independent Runway Operation that we are putting into operation today is one of the most important building blocks of this ecosystem. Thus, we are increasing our hourly air traffic capacity from 120 to 148 aircraft movements. This means that not only Istanbul but also the European airspace will become more efficient. Istanbul is no longer just a destination, it is the world’s air transportation hub.”
THY Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat said, “As Turkish Airlines, we are proud to be a part of another historic moment in Turkish aviation history. While our main base Istanbul Airport achieved a first in Europe with the simultaneous takeoff of three of our aircraft, this operational capacity will increase the flight efficiency of our flag carrier and serve as an important milestone on the way to our growth targets.”
Efficiency Increases with A-CDM System
With the “Triple Independent Runway Operation”, which is an important step towards the vision of reaching a 200 million passenger capacity, Istanbul Airport will further strengthen its position as a global transfer center and maximize its efficiency in managing heavy passenger and cargo traffic. The A-CDM (Airport Collaborative Decision Making) system is used in this operation, which is a preparation for increasing traffic density. Increasing the predictability of air traffic movements, A-CDM plays a critical role in optimizing operational processes by providing more efficient slot allocation and runway usage.
500 Controllers Received 4 Hours of Training
Preparations for the “Triple Independent Runway Operation” carried out at İGA Istanbul Airport began in 2022. A comprehensive safety analysis and airspace design process was carried out in cooperation with the State Airports Authority, General Directorate of Civil Aviation, Turkish Airlines, Eurocontrol and other international authorities. During this process, a total of 500 air traffic controllers received 4 hours of special training with scenarios specifically developed for the system.
The new operational structure is supported by many innovative solutions, such as advanced radar systems, A-CDM integration, advanced slot management and digital optimisation of taxi times. In addition, work is being carried out in close collaboration with Eurocontrol to ensure seamless coordination with European airspace, reduce delays and optimise traffic flow. Air traffic control teams are effectively using the latest radar systems, navigation tools and predictive analytics to maximise the safety and efficiency of operations. Real-time data helps controllers make fast and informed decisions, while predictive tools enable the prediction of flight patterns and the prevention of potential runway conflicts, maximising operational safety, particularly during busy travel periods.
