A new air traffic control tower and a third runway, which will increase capacity and operational capability at Ankara Esenboğa Airport, will be officially opened on Monday, January 19, at a ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Ahead of the opening, the 77-metre-high modern air traffic control tower was introduced to members of the press at a promotional event attended by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu. In his speech, Minister Uraloğlu shared figures highlighting Türkiye’s growth in aviation and wished the new investments well for the country.
Türkiye Reaches Record Levels in Aviation
Providing up-to-date data on Türkiye’s air traffic, Minister Uraloğlu stated that a total of 247 million 163 thousand passengers, including transit passengers, were carried in 2025, and said:
“We have broken a record in the history of our Republic. We have risen to 3rd place in Europe and 7th in the world in terms of passenger numbers.”
Uraloğlu noted that the number of airports across Türkiye would increase from 58 to 60, flights are operated to 356 international destinations, and the aircraft fleet has reached 800 aircraft. Emphasising that Esenboğa Airport is being developed with an innovative vision, he stated that the first phase of the capacity expansion project has been completed.
“Ankara Will Take Türkiye to the Top in Aviation”
Saying that “Ankara is ready for one of the steps that will take Türkiye to the top in aviation,” Minister Uraloğlu shared the following information regarding the works at Esenboğa Airport:
“With the new building we constructed on an area of 41,000 square metres, we have ensured that our personnel can work in humane conditions in line with the requirements of the modern age. With this investment, our airport’s annual passenger capacity will be increased from 20 million to 30 million.”
Major Investments to Enter Service on January 19
As part of the opening ceremony to be held with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, numerous infrastructure investments at Esenboğa Airport will be commissioned simultaneously. The projects to enter service include:
- A third runway with a length of 3,750 metres
- A modern 77-metre-high air traffic control tower
- New taxiways
- A cargo apron with parking space for six aircraft
- Technical buildings
- A fire station
- Security facilities
- Car park areas
During the promotional programme, DHMİ Director General Enes Çakmak provided Minister Uraloğlu with detailed information on the technical infrastructure of the new air traffic control tower. Minister Uraloğlu also spoke individually with tower staff and received information on the operation of the system.
A Model That Does Not Burden the State
Stating that the total investment cost amounts to 298 million euros, Minister Uraloğlu drew attention to the project’s financing model and made the following assessment:
“We have implemented this project without a single cent coming out of the state treasury. Without providing any passenger guarantees, we will obtain rental income of 560 million euros, including VAT, in return for a 25-year operating period.”
🛫 3. Pist ile Ankara 30 milyon yolcu kapasitesine ulaşacak…
Büyük gün 19 Ocak… 🗓️#TürkiyeHızlanıyor 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/o7MijeYekK
— Abdulkadir URALOĞLU (@a_uraloglu) January 17, 2026
