Turkey: New Istanbul airport to boost aviation sector, officials say

The new Istanbul airport is expected to boost Turkish aviation sector’s growth by 27.5% in the next three years, according to officials. The number of passengers, including those on direct transit, is expected to increase by 13% to reach around 219m this year, compared with 193.6m passengers last year, General Directorate of State Airports Authority data has shown. The authority forecasts over 230m air passengers next year and a rise of 27.5%, year-on-year, to reach nearly 250m in 2020. The largest increase will be seen in passengers on international flights — around 29% — to reach 107.7m in 2020, compared with 83.5m passengers last year. The third airport in the city will be the world’s biggest project built from scratch upon completion. The first phase of the new airport — 90% of which is already completed — is expected to formally open on Oct. 29, Turkey’s Independence Day.<br/>