Trabzon Airport has marked a new milestone with the opening of its state-of-the-art international arrivals terminal and CIP (Commercially Important Person) building, along with a new connecting road to enhance passenger flow.
The expansion aims to provide world-class service and cater to the rapidly growing number of passengers traveling through this gateway to the Black Sea region.
During the opening ceremony on August 27, attended by Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu and Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister Uraloğlu proudly announced the completion of a 3,077 square meter international arrivals terminal and an 860 square meter CIP building. “With the modern architecture and advanced facilities of our new buildings, we will provide higher quality services that make waiting times more enjoyable for our passengers,” he stated. The expansion also includes a new 100-meter connection road to the terminal to facilitate easier access for travelers.
The new developments come amid a period of significant growth for Trabzon Airport. Last year, it ranked as the ninth busiest airport in Türkiye, handling around 3.5 million passengers. In just the first seven months of 2024, the airport has already served over 2 million passengers with nearly 15,000 aircraft movements, showing a steady increase in air traffic.
Highlighting this upward trend, Uraloğlu mentioned, “Trabzon Airport continues to grow and evolve in proportion to the growth of the city itself.”
A New Era of Expansion for Trabzon Airport
The newly unveiled facilities at Trabzon Airport are just the beginning of an ambitious expansion plan. The Minister announced that plans are underway for constructing a completely new airport north of the current location, addressing the limitations posed by the existing runway’s 2,640-meter length, which is expected to be insufficient in the coming years.
“Our new airport will be built slightly further north, avoiding geographical challenges that make expansion to the east or west impossible,” Uraloğlu explained. The construction tender for the new airport will be launched soon after further project evaluations.
This strategic expansion is driven by the rising passenger demand and increasing international flights to destinations such as Qatar, Azerbaijan, Germany, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, and, most recently, direct flights to Saudi Arabia’s cities, Jeddah and Riyadh.
As Uraloğlu pointed out, “With these new flights, 1.3 million domestic and international visitors came to Trabzon in 2023. As our city continues to develop, these visits for tourism and trade are also increasing.”
Trabzon Airport has undergone a series of transformative developments over the years. Since its opening in 1957, it has continually evolved to serve the growing needs of the region.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when flights globally were at a standstill, the airport took the opportunity to renew its entire runway surface. This upgrade was just one in a long list of enhancements that have included expanding the apron capacity to accommodate more aircraft, adding a new domestic terminal, constructing new cargo and firefighting buildings, and upgrading navigation and radar systems to ensure the highest safety standards.
Uraloğlu reflected on these achievements, stating, “The airport, since its inception, has been a name of growth, struggle, and great vision.” He emphasized that these developments have positioned Trabzon as a key player in Türkiye’s civil aviation landscape, aligning with the country’s broader goal of expanding its global flight network and enhancing its strategic location between Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Looking Ahead: Future Growth and Impact
As air travel demand continues to surge, Türkiye is on track to serve over 230 million passengers in 2024, up from 214 million in 2023. Trabzon Airport’s new facilities, with their cutting-edge design and technology, are expected to elevate the travel experience and accommodate future growth, both in tourism and trade sectors.
With the ongoing investments and future plans for a new airport, Trabzon is set to soar even higher. The new developments are anticipated to not only boost tourism but also significantly contribute to agriculture, industry, and commerce in the region. “With these new facilities and our new connection road, Trabzon will open its wings to higher altitudes, providing better service to our local and international visitors,” Uraloğlu concluded, thanking everyone involved in the successful completion of these projects.
