"The Great Move": Istanbul's New Airport Now Fully Operational
After 33 hours, Turkish Airlines, the flag carrier and largest airline in Turkey, has completed its massive move from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport (ISL) to the airline's new home at Istanbul Airport (IST). Turkish Airlines even completed what's been dubbed "The Great Move" ahead of schedule. While the airline initially planned for the move from Ataturk to the new Istanbul Airport to take 45 hours, the airline confirmed in a press release that it managed to complete the process 12 hours earlier than planned. The entire process of moving all passenger flights from Ataturk Airport to the new Istanbul Airport was completed around 8pm local time on Saturday.
However, The Great Move comes after months of delays, with Istanbul's new airport originally projected to replace Ataturk Airport during the final days of 2018. Subsequent target dates were not met as operational delays at the new airport forced airlines to prolong service at Istanbul-Ataturk. Four months late, the new Istanbul Airport has officially replaced Ataturk Airport as the primary passenger airport serving Istanbul.
"The Great Move"
In 2018, Istanbul's former international airport, Ataturk Airport, saw nearly 68 million passengers pass through its terminals. Its 67.9 million annual passengers put Ataturk Airport at number 17 on the list of world's largest airports in terms of passenger movement. The Great Move entailed relocating aircraft, ground equipment and airport staff from the world's 17th busiest airport in less than two days. Miraculously, the entire process took 12 hours less than expected.
To relocate ground equipment, Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Eski noted in a press release, the airline used 686 semi trucks and 1,800 people to transport more than 10,000 pieces of equipment weighing 47,300 tons.
In the press release, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee M. Ilker Ayci said that saying farewell to Ataturk Airport was "a highly saddening experience" for the airline. Ayci went on to highlight Turkish Airlines' massive growth in recent years, citing the growth as one of the major reasons for the construction of a new airport serving the Istanbul region.
"As Turkish Airlines became unable to fit its mold with its efficient growth performance, the need for a new home that will support its development and open its way with capacity and other physical capabilities was born," Ayci explained.
Ayci calls the new Istanbul Airport the "biggest airport project of the world." The massive project broke ground in June 2014 and it came with a price tag of an estimated $7.8 billion USD. The new airport covers more than 832 million square feet and, with an initial capacity of 90 million passengers annually with room for up to 200 million passengers in the coming years.
Operations at the New Istanbul Airport
Reports from the airport during its first day of being completely operational have mostly been positive. With the airport's largest tenant, Turkish Airlines, having completed its move ahead of schedule, flights have been operating on time and without major issues.
However, not everyone is happy with the airport's new digs. Twitter user Ray Kazan (@raykazan) shared his experience checking in at the new Istanbul Airport, showing a long line at the Gulf Air counters. Kazan noted in his Tweet that the check-in area in particular was "extremely dysfunctional".
Still, reports of operational issues as a result of The Great Move have been limited. Both Flightradar24 and Flightview show that most departing and arriving flights are, indeed, operating on time.
Ataturk Airport Following The Great Move
Ataturk Airport has taken on a new airport code: ISL. Though passenger flights have ceased at Ataturk Airport, the airport will continue to serve cargo flights. Images posted by Twitter user @inagrogg show a desolate and abandoned space post-move.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.