New Istanbul airport 'will help aviation industry'

By Tolga Albay

IZMIR, Turkey

Istanbul’s third airport will provide a boost to the global aviation sector, Lufthansa’s Turkey chief said Friday.

“The airport will provide an important gain for the aviation industry,” Kemal Gecer said. “Its geographical advantage for passengers and its comfort are significant. This airport will be an advantage for air carriers.”

The first stage of construction will finish next year, when the airport on the European stretch of Turkey’s Black Sea coast will open.

The new airport will take most passenger traffic from Ataturk International Airport, hosting 250 airlines flying to more than 350 destinations when it is completed in 2018, making it one of the world’s largest transport hubs.

“I had a chance to review the airport project by visiting its construction,” Gecer told Anadolu Agency. “I was really impressed with that work. It will be a great project for Turkey.”

He added that Lufthansa aimed to boost the number of flights to Turkey.

By Tolga Albay

IZMIR, Turkey

Istanbul’s third airport will provide a boost to the global aviation sector, Lufthansa’s Turkey chief said Friday.

The first stage of construction will finish next year, when the airport on the European stretch of Turkey’s Black Sea coast will open.

“I had a chance to review the airport project by visiting its construction,” Gecer told Anadolu Agency. “I was really impressed with that work. It will be a great project for Turkey.”

He added that Lufthansa aimed to boost the number of flights to Turkey.