A 230-day project transformed a former military airfield into a wide-runway hub ready to receive official delegations for the NATO summit.
In Ankara, the opening of the airport and new transport infrastructure was presented, intended to accommodate official delegations during the NATO summit on July 7-8.
According to the Turkish Ministry of National Defense, the ceremonial opening took place as part of the preparations for the event.
“We have prepared the airport to receive wide-body aircraft and official flights… Thanks to a 3-kilometer access road on the divided highway section, we will provide direct transport connections for the delegations taking part in the NATO summit.”
– President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
According to Erdoğan, the project was completed in two stages in a record 230 days.
The runway length was increased from 2,450 to 3,000 meters, and its width from 42 to 60 meters.
“The airport, which for many years has been a center of military aviation, has been given new life and will become an important part of the capital’s transport infrastructure,” the president said.
New facilities and capabilities
Along with the airport, an air bridge and access roads were brought into operation.
“The air bridge was built over the high-speed rail line. It was constructed using technology that has been used for the first time in Turkey”
– the president noted
The new apron covering 160,000 square meters can simultaneously accommodate 44 aircraft. A separate state guest complex covering 4,800 square meters and parking for 310 vehicles were also built.
The new infrastructure is expected to ease the burden on Esenboga Airport, the capital’s main airport, in both air and road connectivity.
According to official sources from Turkey, the country will mobilize about 70,000 security personnel to protect participants and ensure the security of the NATO summit to be held in Ankara on July 7-8.
Thus, the opening of the airport and the new infrastructure forms part of the logistical support for the upcoming event, strengthening the capital’s position on the path to a safe summit.