Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that the first phase of the “Terminal 1 Renovation Project” carried out at Sabiha Gökçen Airport has been put into service. Uraloğlu stated that Terminal 2, used as the main terminal, was integrated with Terminal 1 with a connection bridge built approximately 240 meters long and 10.5 meters wide.
Minister Uraloğlu stated that the project was carried out in cooperation with Sabiha Gökçen International Airport Airport Authority (HEAŞ), a subsidiary of the Presidency of Defense Industries, and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport Investment, Construction and Operation Inc. (ISG).
CNBC-EPointing out that passenger demand at Sabiha Gökçen Airport has increased rapidly in recent years, Uraloğlu reminded that more than 41.4 million passengers will be served at the airport in 2024.
Record broken in 11 months
Table of Contents
- Record broken in 11 months
- Parking capacity increased
- Kacır: “Flight traffic has increased from 2 thousand flights to more than 245 thousand flights.”
- “This investment further strengthens Istanbul’s position as a leading global hub.”
- “ISG is constantly strengthening its position among the world’s best performing airports”
Stating that according to the data of the State Airports Authority (DHMİ), 33 million 716 thousand passengers were served in the first 11 months of 2023, this number increased by 31 percent to 44 million 217 thousand in the same period of 2025, Uraloğlu said that the annual passenger record of 41 million 449 thousand, which was broken in 2024 in just 11 months, was left behind.
Emphasizing that they increased the capacity by anticipating the increasing demand, Uraloğlu stated that the Terminal 1 building was used as an international terminal until 2009 and that the renovation works were planned in three phases. He noted that with the completion of the first phase, the main terminal building of Terminal 1 was turned into a satellite terminal.
Parking capacity increased
Stating that the car park capacity has been increased with the new regulations implemented within the scope of the “Terminal 2 – Terminal 1 Integration Project”, Uraloğlu announced that the Terminal 2 car park has been increased to 5 thousand 229 vehicles and the Terminal 1 car park has been increased to 607 vehicles. Thus, the total parking capacity of the airport reached 5 thousand 836 vehicles. It was also stated that landside transportation was strengthened with the 13-stop intercity bus transfer area integrated into the metro exit.
Stating that the remote aircraft lounge, which was put into service within the scope of the first phase, has a seating area of 2 thousand 560 square meters, Uraloğlu said that the lounge has the capacity to serve 10 aircraft at the same time. It was shared that the hall has 5 exit doors, duty free area, food and beverage kiosks, children’s playground, wet areas, prayer room and ihram dressing areas.
Uraloğlu stated that, with the completion of Phase 2 and Phase 3 works, Terminal 1 will bring an additional 5.5 million passenger capacity to the airport annually, and that the renovation project will make a significant contribution to Sabiha Gökçen Airport in terms of capacity and comfort.
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (İSG) Terminal 1 Renovation Project 1st Phase Opening Ceremony, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, President of the Presidency of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün, Governor of Istanbul Davut Gül, Sabiha Gökçen Airport Aerodrome Authority Airport Operation and Aviation Industries Inc. (HEAŞ) General Manager Faruk Kacır and Malaysian Airports Holdings, the operator of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. It was organized with the participation of Berhad (MAHB) Executive Director Dato Izani.
Speaking at the ceremony, HEAŞ General Manager Kacır said that Sabiha Gökçen Airport, which served 44 thousand passengers when it was opened to civil aviation in 2001, has now reached a passenger traffic of more than 44 million before the end of 2025.
Kacır: “Flight traffic has increased from 2 thousand flights to more than 245 thousand flights.”
Kacır said, “The flight traffic of our airport, which hosts millions of passengers every year, breaks records and opens doors to the sky non-stop, has increased from 2 thousand flight traffic to more than 245 thousand flights.” he said.
Stating that Terminal 1 is the memory of Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Kacır said:
“Within the scope of this project, which was implemented with the support of our Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the strong vision of our Presidency of Defense Industries and the cooperation of HEAŞ and our terminal operator ISG, Terminal 1 was repositioned as a satellite terminal. The 240-meter-long connection bridge built between Terminal 2 and Terminal 1 has made the two terminals a single structure, not only physically but also operationally. Thanks to this integration, the total terminal capacity of Sabiha Gökçen Airport exceeds 50 million passengers, Terminal 1 and Terminal 1. “The total closed area of 2 has reached 265 thousand square meters. This capacity increase is a strong response to the passenger demand not only today but also in the coming years.”
Expressing that their perspective as HEAŞ is not limited to the terminal buildings only, Kacır said, “As HEAŞ, we are carrying out simultaneous investments within the scope of our airport development project. Commissioning the second runway at full capacity, increasing the apron parking positions, new hangars, maintenance facilities, fuel farms and airfield development projects are strategic steps that strengthen the operational durability of this airport.” he said.
“This investment further strengthens Istanbul’s position as a leading global hub.”
Dato Izani, Executive Director of MAHB, the operator of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, also stated that it is an honor to be in Istanbul, which is located at the intersection of continents, cultures and global aviation.
Emphasizing that today’s ceremony is not just an infrastructure investment, Izani said that it is an indication of a strong partnership based on trust, common goals and long-term growth vision.
Stating that this investment is of strategic importance for Turkey and Malaysia, Izani said, “This investment advances the national aviation goals for Turkey and further strengthens Istanbul’s position as a leading global center. For Malaysia, it reflects the success of an important overseas airport investment supported by strong partnerships, mutual trust and a common long-term vision.” he said.
“ISG is constantly strengthening its position among the world’s best performing airports”
Dato Izani stated that, under the leadership of the Presidency of Defense Industries and HEAŞ, Sabiha Gökçen Airport has continuously strengthened its position among the best-performing major airports in the world.
Stating that the commissioning of the second runway significantly increased operational capacity, Izani said that this is a critical element that supports sustainable growth.
Izani stated that as the end of 2025 approaches, Sabiha Gökçen Airport is the second busiest airport in Türkiye and the ninth busiest in Europe, serving 48 million passengers annually, connecting 154 destinations in 54 countries, and made the following evaluation:
“This performance reflects strong demand, disciplined planning, institutional alignment and effective long-term execution. The Terminal 1 Renovation Project, inaugurated today, is a direct response to this growth. More than capacity expansion and modernization, this project aims to rethink space, improve passenger flow, increase comfort and elevate the overall travel experience by making smarter use of existing infrastructure. At the heart of this transformation is the 240-meter steel link bridge, the first of its kind in Türkiye. Providing a physical connection between Terminals 1 and 2 “This bridge symbolizes integration, engineering excellence and a forward-thinking approach to airport design, while offering passengers a unique visual connection to airfield operations.”
Izani added that Malaysia Airports Holdings, as a shareholder, remains committed to the long-term success of Sabiha Gökçen Airport, and that their focus is on operational excellence, sustainability and providing an airport experience that meets passenger expectations.
