24/7 Export and living center Istanbul Airport

YAHYA GÜL - CENGİZ KAZAN

With over 400 brands in its duty free, Istanbul Airport will compete with Amsterdam, South Korea, and Dubai Airports, which are well-known for the shopping experience they offer.

Istanbul Airport is not only the world’s biggest airport with a commercial area of 55,000 square meters, it is also an export and living center open 24/7.

The­­­ Republic of Turkey’s largest infrastructure investment, Istanbul Airport, operated with full capacity on April 7. When all phases are completed, Istanbul Airport will become the world’s biggest airport. In addition to this, bringing together over 400 brands under the same roof, a shopping center with a duty-free area of 55,000 square meters also opened its doors to passengers. And what’s more, it’s open 24/7 and operates as an export and living center.

Istanbul Commerce visited the world’s biggest airport and asked Chairman of IGA Airport Operations Executive Board, Hüseyin Kadri Samsunlu, questions many were curious about. Here is the new airport with its unknown and curious aspects...

400 BRANDS UNDER THE SAME ROOF

How big is the airport’s commercial space?

A total area of 55 thousand square meters, with over 400 domestic and foreign brands, will operate as duty free and satisfy the various needs of passengers. 35 thousand square meters of this area is located in international depatures. Passengers traveling domestically will have access to over 10 thousand square meters of store space.

WE’RE AMBITIOUS FOR THE TOP 3

What is the advantage of such a large commercial space?

The large shopping area and the extensive mix of different brands is no doubt going to move Turkey to the top of shopping rankings. Airports where the most shopping takes place today is Amsterdan Schiphol, South Korea Incheon International Airport and Dubai International Airport. We will take our place in this ranking in a short time. We are ambitious with both our duty free retail areas and food and drink areas.

ISTANBUL’S SHOWCAS

How will brands benefit?

Istanbul Airport includes all the retail and brand diversity expected from a shopping center, and will provide passengers with an uninterrupted and perfect journey experience 24/7. The airport will reflect the rich social and cultural heritage of Istanbul, a global city, and will be the showcase of Istanbul. Istanbul Airport will be the gateway of Turkish brands to the whole world.

‘SPECIAL PASSENGER’ ADVANTAGES

What is the difference between business and CIP services?

As IGA, we have implemented a new membership program to offer our passengers a privileged, comfortable and enjoyable travel experience. With the IGA Pass special passenger program, we will offer 4 different services. The membership program will offer access to the Lounge, a golf cart, fast-track, priority check-in, vale and city transfer services. One of the most special privileges of the IGA Pass program is going to be the IGA Lounge. With a total area of 4 thousand 420 square meters and a seating capacity of 584, the IGA Lounge is going to provide 24-hour services for passengers waiting for their flights.

SPECIAL PLAY AREAS FOR CHILDREN

Comprehensive services have been considered for families with children and those with IGA Pass. Children are going to be able to play and watch cartoons in the Lounge area. Families are going to be able to watch their children in the playrooms from the screens.

US-FAR ASIA TRANSFER CENTER

Istanbul Airport has the potential of becoming the most important transfer center between the Americas­­ and Far Asia. Its airline capacity is a key factor contributing to economic growth. According to an analysis conducted by PwC for the UK Airports Commission, a 10 percent increase in passenger seat capacity leads to a 1 percent increase in short-term economic growth. This accounts to an equivalent increase in the total level of real GDP.

ON-SCREEN ORDERS FOR DUTY FREE

Before walking through duty free, passengers are going to be able to order products they want from duty free through screens in the IGA Lounge. They will be able to purchase the ordered item by going to the nearest duty free area indicated on the screen.

5,5 MILLION TONNES OF CARGO CAPACITY

Istanbul Airport is going to make Turkey’s strategic position in trade and logistics more concrete. The airport will stand out with a capacity of 5,5 million tons of air cargo per year.

IN FIGURES

* Total project area:76,5 million m2

* Project investment cost:10,2 billion Euros

* Annual passenger capacity:200 million

* Terminal building: 1,4 million m2

* Duty free area: 55 thousand m2

* Food and drink area: 32 thousand m2

* Special passenger lounge:22 thousand m2

* Ticket sales offices: 2,500 m2

* Retail area:10 thousand m2

* Check-in points: 566

* Number of escalators and elevators: 665

* Passport control points: 228

* Terminal entrance doors: 7

* Waiting chairs: 20 thousand

* Number of passenger boarding bridges: 143

* Airplane parking position: 371

* Length of luggage conveyor: 42 km

* Total parking area: 1,3 million m2

* Total parking capacity: 40 thousand

* Total cargo area: 1,4 million m2

23 Temmuz 2019 Salı

Etiketler : English