Nöbetçi Eczaneler
Turkish Airlines has launched a USD 2.5 billion investment program at Istanbul Airport, breaking ground on eight major aviation facilities that will significantly expand cargo, maintenance, catering, training, and digital infrastructure capacity.
The investment is designed to strengthen Istanbul Airport’s role as a global aviation hub, while supporting Turkish Airlines’ long-term growth strategy and its ambition to remain among the world’s leading airline groups.
Building Scale Beyond the Fleet
Rather than focusing solely on aircraft growth, the investment targets the end-to-end aviation value chain, from cargo logistics and technical maintenance to in-flight services, digital infrastructure, and human capital development.
Once fully implemented, the projects are expected to:
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Create over 36,000 jobs across multiple phases
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Increase Turkish Airlines’ annual economic contribution from approximately USD 65 billion today to USD 144 billion by 2033
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Position Istanbul as one of the most comprehensive aviation ecosystems globally
Key Projects Driving Global Competitiveness
The investment package includes several facilities that are positioned to become global leaders by scale and capability:
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SmartIST Cargo Terminal – Phase 2
Expanding total cargo handling capacity from 2.2 million tons to 4.5 million tons annually, reinforcing Turkish Cargo’s ambition to rank among the world’s top air cargo operators. Completion is planned between 2027 and 2028. -
New Inflight Catering Complex
Designed to serve more than 500,000 passengers per day, the facility is set to become one of the largest airline catering operations worldwide, scheduled to enter service in 2027–2028. -
Widebody Engine Maintenance Center
A next-generation engine MRO facility is planned to be one of the largest in Europe, strengthening in-house maintenance capabilities and reducing external dependency. -
Additional Aircraft Maintenance Hangars
Increasing simultaneous maintenance capacity by 12 aircraft, boosting overall technical capability by approximately 20%, with completion targeted for 2026. -
E-Commerce and Integrated Logistics Complex
Supporting door-to-door digital cargo solutions and enhancing Turkish Airlines’ role in global e-commerce logistics. -
Istanbul Data Center
A high-security, advanced data infrastructure facility forming the digital backbone of airline operations, scheduled for 2027–2028. -
Flight Training Center (Phase 1)
Supporting long-term pilot and crew training needs, aligned with sustained fleet and network growth. -
Expanded Crew Terminal Facilities
Enhancing operational continuity and logistics flow between flight operations, maintenance, and ground services.
A Long-Term Aviation Platform, Not Just Infrastructure
Collectively, these investments reflect a shift from airline growth to ecosystem leadership, integrating cargo, maintenance, training, digitalization, and logistics into a single, scalable aviation platform.
As global competition among hubs intensifies, the Istanbul Airport–Turkish Airlines model demonstrates how airlines can move beyond capacity growth and instead build resilient, diversified, and future-ready aviation ecosystems that support both operational excellence and national economic impact.