28 Feb 2019 | 10:08 AM UTC
Turkey: Opening of Istanbul Airport delayed until early April /update 2
Officials postpone opening of new Istanbul Airport (IST) until April 7; reduced flight operations expected during April 5-7
Event
The opening of the new Istanbul Airport (IST) will be postponed until April 7, according to a statement released by Turkish officials on Tuesday, February 26. The airport is set to replace Atatürk Airport as the city's main hub. Flight operations will transfer from Atatürk Airport to Istanbul Airport beginning April 5 at 03:00 (local time) and be completed at 00:00 on April 7. Both airports will operate under reduced capacity during the transition. Flight disruptions, including delays and cancelations, are possible during the transfer period.
Context
Istanbul Airport is set to replace Atatürk Airport and assume the IATA airport code of IST. The airport was inaugurated on October 29, 2018, however a full opening has been repeatedly postponed. Once the airport is fully operational, it is expected to accommodate 90 million passengers per year.
Advice
Individuals traveling through IST during early April are advised to monitor the situation, maintain flexible itineraries, and contact their airline for further information.
