ISTANBUL
Construction works for Istanbul’s third airport are in progress to establish the most important center of world air traffic in Turkey’s largest city.
The Cengiz-Kolin-Limak-Mapa-Kalyon Consortium, a joint venture of Turkish companies, and the grant holder Istanbul Grand Airport (IGA) continue with ground works. Company officials said that the operations proceeded carefully on 76.5 square kilometers of land.
As domestic and foreign experts manage the work, a number of 780 geological surveys have been taken since the beginning of works in March 2014, according to the project’s geotechnical reports.
At least 1,020 soil samples and 9,000 Cone Penetrometer Tests (CPT) were taken.
Turkey’s Authority of Aviation Organization and Administration, under the General Directorate of State Airports Authority, is observing the coordination and management of the project’s progress.
- The most impressive machinery in the country’s history
An enormous investment was made in the machinery for use solely during the ground works of the project.
The machinery, worth a total of €300 million, includes 1,200 high tonnage heavy-duty trucks, 150 of 90-ton excavators, 95 dozers, 70 graders, and 75 loaders.
- Airport to go into service in October 2017
The airport is planned to enter service on October 29, 2017, on the 94th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic.
The airport will be connected to the city center through a new highway, the upcoming third bridge on Istanbul strait, and railway systems.
The airport will also act as a focal point for the Turkish Airlines, Turkey's flag carrier, which is one of the fastest growing airline companies in the world, flying currently to over more than 200 international destinations.
The new airport, whose construction has progressed through the work of over 250 domestic and foreign architects, as well as more than 500 engineers, is planned as a large complex including four separate terminal buildings connected via a rail system, eight control towers, six airfields, sixteen taxi roads, a 6.5 million square meter apron, cargo and general aviation terminal, a parking garage with capacity for around 70,000 cars, a medical aviation center, hotels, and a congress center.
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