Turkish Airline embarks on a fresh phase in air travel
Istanbul, Turkey - The Istanbul Airport has made a historic leap in international aviation with the implementation of the Triple Independent Runway Operation, marking a significant milestone in the country's aviation sector and strengthening Turkey's position as a major player in European and global aviation.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu emphasized that this new operation would accelerate air traffic, increase capacities, and offer a more efficient and safer flying experience for passengers. The maturity and organization of the Turkish aviation system were demonstrated during the symbolic kick-off, which involved three Turkish Airlines aircraft taking off simultaneously from the airport.
This new operation allows for three takeoffs or landings at once, making Istanbul Airport the first in Europe to implement the Triple Independent Runway Operation method. The airport, under iGA Airport management, has become the first European airport to operate with three independent runways simultaneously.
The Triple Independent Runway Operation has significantly boosted Istanbul Airport's capacity, connectivity, and operational efficiency. The airport's use of three fully independent runways allows simultaneous takeoffs and landings without interference, leading to a higher throughput of flights. As a result, Istanbul Airport became the busiest in Europe in late June 2025, averaging **1,553 daily flights**, surpassing major European hubs like Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, and London Heathrow.
The enhanced runway capacity supports the expansion of Turkish Airlines' extensive network, allowing the airport to increase its global connectivity by 59% since 2019. This contributed to iGA Istanbul Airport overtaking Frankfurt as the world's most connected global hub according to the 2025 Airport Industry Connectivity Report.
The airport's strategic location bridging Europe and Asia complements the infrastructure to position Turkey as a crucial international aviation hub. Thanks to the advanced runway operations and resulting increased flight volumes, Turkey has transformed from merely a transit country into a regional and global hub. The country ranks sixth in Europe by overall flight traffic volume, with daily flights averaging nearly 4,000 across all Turkish airports.
The operational benefits of the triple independent runways also enhance passenger experience by enabling smoother, more reliable scheduling, reducing delays. Investments in infrastructure, digital innovation, and service excellence complement these operational benefits, supporting sustainable growth and Istanbul's role as a gateway between continents.
Shorter taxiing times, fewer delays, and improved punctuality from the new operation contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, aligning with the airline's environmental objectives. Turkish Airlines' Board Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat expressed pride as the airline made history with three simultaneous takeoffs.
The ceremonial launch of the new system was attended by Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, General Director of the State Airports Authority DHMI Enes Çakmak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Turkish Airlines Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat, and Mehmet Kalyoncu, Board Member of iGA Airport Istanbul, among others.
The implementation of this technology underscores Istanbul's strategic position as an international aviation hub, reinforcing Turkey's role as a major player in global aviation. This new operation signifies clear progress in the efficiency of Turkish Airlines' operations, marking another milestone in their path of continuous growth.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, highlighted that the implementation of the Triple Independent Runway Operation would contribute to faster air traffic, increased capacities, and a safer, more efficient flying experience for passengers. This technology, which allows for simultaneous takeoffs and landings at the Istanbul Airport, has been instrumental in the airport's transformation into the first in Europe to operate with three independent runways simultaneously.
