The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure continues its efforts to expand Istanbul’s metro network. Minister Uraloğlu announced the upcoming inauguration of a 14-kilometer new metro line connecting Arnavutköy to Istanbul Airport set to open tomorrow.
This addition is part of a larger project aiming to complete a 69-kilometer circular metro line, which will be among the longest underground metro lines in Turkey and the world.
Uraloğlu shared that with the new Arnavutköy-Istanbul Airport Line’s launch, the Ministry’s contribution to Istanbul’s rail system will reach 161.7 kilometers. The Minister also highlighted ongoing works on 60.7 kilometers of rail system lines in Istanbul, Kocaeli, and Bursa, underscoring the Ministry’s extensive efforts in enhancing urban mobility.
The completion of the Arnavutköy-Istanbul Airport Metro Line marks a significant milestone in connecting various parts of Istanbul. This line features four stations and promises seamless transit to Istanbul Airport and Zincirlikuyu, further extending the city’s rail system to 362 kilometers.
In a pioneering move for Turkey’s metros, the Arnavutköy-Istanbul Airport line utilizes a railway infrastructure system never before used in the country. This system involves precisely placing specially produced concrete slabs in the tunnel, ensuring a smoother and quieter train ride.
The Ministry aims to finish the 17.5-kilometer Arnavutköy-Halkalı section soon, completing the 69-kilometer ring line. This project underscores the Ministry’s commitment to alleviating Istanbul’s traffic and enhancing the city’s public transportation.
With the opening of the Arnavutköy-Istanbul Airport line, travel time from Arnavutköy to the airport will reduce to just 8 minutes. This line’s integration with other metro lines will also significantly decrease travel times to various Istanbul districts, highlighting the project’s impact on urban travel efficiency.
Uraloğlu also stated that this line will integrate with other metro lines from Istanbul Airport, thus reducing the travel time between Arnavutköy and Göktürk to 20 minutes, and between Arnavutköy and Kağıthane to 32 minutes. He mentioned that the journey between Arnavutköy and Gayrettepe would also be covered in 41 minutes with the comfort of the metro.
In January 2024, the final section of the Gayrettepe-Istanbul Airport Metro Line was opened and this new line significantly reduced the travel time from Gayrettepe to Istanbul Airport to just 30 minutes.
