Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Ahmet Arslan visited the Istanbul Airport Correspondents Association (İHMD). Speaking to members of the press here, Arslan said that the name of Istanbul New Airport will be evident at the opening.
Minister Arslan, drawing attention to the increase in traffic by two bridges and the sea in Istanbul, “Eurasia Tunnel was opened, Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge was opened. Traffic on the other two bridges did not decrease much. What does that mean? On the one hand, they also generate their own traffic. Because the income level of our people is rising. Vehicle ownership rate of our people is increasing. At the same time, the traffic rate of our people is increasing very high. In the past, perhaps it was going to work by shuttle or public transportation, which had a vehicle at its door. He was driving once a week with his car. Now it is not so, it turns out directly with its car. In fact, some families go out with three cars, not one. As such, the need is increasing. As we see this need, we create our own traffic both in terms of travel and in terms of load. Ordu-Giresun was a good example for this. Hopefully Rize-Artvin will also be a good example. As a matter of fact, while there was a need for an airport for big provinces in the past, we now make an airport in our small provinces. Why? Because as our people use the airline and get used to travel by air, the number of trips increases a lot. Regional transportation has also started to get involved. Therefore, the capacity of Istanbul New Airport will also be supplementing and supporting our other airports. Make sure that Istanbul New Airport will benefit and contribute. We will not stop for him. We will not take advantage of it, we will plan airports again from now on. We used to say that if there was an airport in 200-250 kilometers at the beginning, it would be enough. Now we do not consider this sufficient. Now, when our people leave their homes, we want an airport that they can reach within 100 kilometers. We increased the rate of this to over 95 percent. I am sure that we will talk about more fallen figures in the near future. Turkish Airlines (THY) will now have to buy and serve smaller-hull aircraft for regional flights, not long-distance flights. Because they will feed each other. ”
Answering a question about the fate of Atatürk Airport, Arslan noted that the New Airport in Istanbul will serve with 6 runways and the capacity of Sabiha Gökçen Airport will increase gradually.
Minister Arslan stated that Atatürk Airport will not be the backup airport of the new airport in Istanbul and said, “Atatürk Airport will serve general aviation.” said.
Arslan, the new airport, the name of the opening will be certain, he added.
After the speech, the President of the Association, Celal Uçan, presented a plaque of appreciation to Minister Arslan for his visits.
THY General Manager Bilal Ekşi, Undersecretary of Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Orhan Birdal, General Director of State Airports Authority (DHMİ) Funda Ocak also participated in the visit.
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