Turkish Airlines has achieved a ground-breaking milestone in Türkiye’s aviation history as iGA Istanbul Airport becomes the first in Europe to execute Triple Independent Runway Operations, effective from April 17.

This significant advancement solidifies the airport’s global hub status, enhancing Türkiye’s pivotal role in international air travel.

The inaugural event featured three Turkish Airlines aircraft taking off simultaneously, showcasing the operational capabilities of iGA Istanbul Airport and the strength of Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu, DHMI Chair and General Director Enes Çakmak, Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat, and iGA board member Mehmet Kalyoncu attended the launch.

Uraloglu emphasized that “the implementation of Triple Independent Runway Operations is a first for Türkiye and Europe, marking a historic step in global aviation. He stated, “Istanbul Airport now stands among the elite in global aviation, excelling in traffic volume and operational capacity. This system will enhance air traffic flow, increase our airport’s dynamic capacity significantly, and enable us to provide faster and safer services for our passengers.”

Bolat remarked: “As Turkish Airlines, we take pride in being part of this historic milestone for Turkish aviation. With the synchronized take-off of three aircraft, our primary hub, iGA Istanbul Airport, has reached a first in Europe, enhancing our flight efficiency and marking significant progress in our growth journey.”

The new procedures boost iGA Istanbul Airport’s hourly aircraft movement capability, promoting operational efficiency and resulting in reduced taxi times, fewer delays, and improved punctuality for Turkish Airlines. Additionally, the system supports a reduction in carbon emissions, aligning with the airline’s long-term environmental commitments.