Istanbul Airport Makes past with Europe's First Triple Runway Operations

ISTANBUL- On April 17, İGA Istanbul Airport (IST) achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first European airport to implement Triple Runway Operations. This system allows simultaneous takeoffs and landings on 3 independent runways.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu officially launched the operations from the Air Traffic Control tower, giving the command for 3 Turkish Airlines (TK) flights to take off simultaneously.

Photo: By Masakatsu Ukon – Turkish Airlines; Wikimedia Commons

Istanbul Airport Triple Runway Operations

The new operational system increases Istanbul Airport’s hourly capacity from 120 to 148 aircraft movements. This 23% capacity boost optimises traffic management throughout European airspace, making flights faster, safer, and more efficient.

Airlines now face shorter waiting times, passengers experience fewer delays, and the environment benefits from reduced carbon emissions due to decreased holding patterns and taxiing times.

Turkey’s national flag carrier, Turkish Airlines (TK), provided crucial support for implementing this innovative system.

The airline’s extensive global network and operational capabilities enhance the effectiveness of the triple runway operations, improving the overall passenger experience at the airport.

The triple runway system supports Istanbul Airport’s ambitious goal of handling 200 million passengers. As a global transfer hub managing intense passenger and cargo traffic, the airport now has the infrastructure to accommodate future growth.

The Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) system, a key component of the new operations, improves the predictability of air traffic movements, enhances slot allocation, and ensures more efficient runway usage.

Mehmet Kalyoncu, Board Member of iGA Istanbul Airport (IST), emphasised the strategic importance of this achievement: “This is not merely a technical achievement for us, but also a strategic milestone.”

Photo- iGA Istanbul Airport

Preparation Process

The transformation began in 2022 with a comprehensive safety analysis and airspace design conducted in cooperation with multiple aviation authorities, including the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMI), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM), Turkish Airlines (TK), Eurocontrol, and other international organisations.

Over 500 air traffic controllers completed 4,500 hours of specialised training based on operational scenarios developed specifically for the new system.

The triple runway operation utilises cutting-edge technology including advanced radar systems, full A-CDM integration, improved slot management, and digitally optimised taxi times. Close coordination with Eurocontrol ensures seamless integration with European airspace while reducing delays and optimising traffic flow.

Air traffic controllers employ the latest navigation tools and predictive analytics to ensure smooth operations and prevent potential runway conflicts, which is particularly valuable during peak travel periods.

Photo- iGA Istanbul Airport

Istanbul Airport’s airside infrastructure was designed from the beginning with this operational capability in mind, demonstrating the forward-thinking approach taken during the initial construction phase.

This planning has positioned the airport to meet future aviation demands and solidify Turkey’s role as a key intercontinental hub in global aviation.

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