Türkiye has officially opened Ankara Airport (ANK), a newly redeveloped aviation facility in the capital, weeks before the NATO Leaders’ Summit on 7-8 July 2026. The airport, formerly Etimesgut Air Base, entered service on 15 June following an eight-month project designed to support diplomatic, state and authorised flights while strengthening Ankara’s role as an international diplomatic hub.
The opening provides Ankara with additional aviation capacity alongside Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) ahead of the NATO summit, where officials expect traffic from more than 60 aircraft carrying heads of state, government delegations and support teams. Turkish authorities said the airport will play a key role in managing summit-related operations and protocol traffic.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan inaugurated the airport and its supporting transport infrastructure during an official ceremony attended by government officials and aviation stakeholders.
New Infrastructure Completed in Eight Months
The project was delivered through cooperation between the Ministry of National Defence’s General Directorate of Logistics and the General Directorate of Highways. Alongside the airport works, authorities completed a 12.5-kilometre connection road, the 140-metre Başkent Aviation Bridge and the Ankara Boulevard Underpass.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said the airport would strengthen Ankara’s position as a centre for international diplomacy and provide critical support during the NATO Leaders’ Summit.
Officials said the facility has been designed to accommodate wide-body aircraft and manage high-level diplomatic traffic. The airport operates under the IATA code ANK and serves as a specialised aviation facility rather than a conventional commercial airport.
Unlike Ankara Esenboğa Airport, the new airport is not open to scheduled commercial airline services. Authorities said it will be reserved for diplomatic events, state visits, authorised flights and other strategic aviation activities.
Supporting Diplomacy and Future Aviation Needs
The opening comes as Ankara prepares to host one of the largest diplomatic gatherings in its recent history. Officials said the additional airport capacity will help ensure smooth traffic management, security operations and logistical support during the summit.
Minister Uraloğlu said similar airports dedicated to diplomatic and special-purpose aviation operations exist in several countries and that Ankara’s strategic role and growing diplomatic traffic justified the investment.
The airport is expected to continue serving specialised aviation functions after the NATO summit concludes. Authorities said flight training operations conducted by Turkish Aeronautical Association University (THK University) will continue at the facility.
Türkiye has invested heavily in aviation infrastructure over the past two decades, expanding airport capacity and connectivity across the country. The opening of Ankara Airport adds a new element to the capital’s transport network while providing dedicated infrastructure for diplomatic, protocol and strategic aviation activities.
Officials said the facility will provide long-term logistical advantages for international meetings, state visits and major diplomatic events hosted in Ankara, reinforcing the capital’s role in regional and global affairs.
