We all know the pains of traveling long distances. From getting to the airport to the actual experience at the airport, and then the merciless delays and issues with actually flying. There’s not one moment of the entire process that is enjoyable. The airport in Istanbul, Turkey is trying to change that.
Istanbul is perennially one of the world’s Top 10 vacation destinations. Things might only get better when the city’s new airport is completed. With close to 50 million tourists visiting the city annually and representing a key hub between the east and the west, Turkish officials have announced they have plans to create the world’s largest airport terminal. The terminal itself will be suited to fit over 150 million passengers a year.
Currently, Dubai’s Grand Terminal 3 is considered to be the world’s largest airport terminal. It opened in 2008 to the tune of $4.5 billion. Unfortunately, the plans will not be functional until the year 2019. Government officials have enlisted a team from around the world to design and complete the terminal. The terminal will cover over 100 hectares (not sure how big that is!) and be located about 20 miles outside the city near the Black Sea. It will be completed in four phases, with the first phase completed in 2018.
The news doesn’t come without reason. The new airport might make Istanbul, Turkey a lock to host the 2020 Olympics. We will certainly keep you posted on that – we will also unveil the plans once they are released. We’re expecting state-of-the-art amenities and more.
Photo by Goos van der Veen-Pool/Getty Images
