Sivas Nuri Demirağ Airport

Sivas Nuri Demirağ Airport serves civil aviation as one of Türkiye's important regional air transport hubs. The airport attracts attention through its infrastructure terminal capacity, runway characteristics, and modernization projects, directly contributing to Sivas’s transportation, tourism, and economic potential. This article comprehensively examines the airport’s historical development, terminal building features, runway structure, capacity information, and close period projects.

Sivas Nuri Demirağ Airport opened in 1957. After serving civil flights for several Long years, it was closed in 2002 but reopened in 2003 following a decision by the Council of Ministers made on the anniversary of the Sivas Congress. However, during this period, infrastructure and terminal deficiencies prevented the complete capacity from being utilized.

In 2006, runway renovation and expansion works were completed, and the airport resumed operations. As a result of these works, the runway length was extended to 3,811 meters and its width to 45 meters, making it one of the longest runways in Türkiye. This increase in runway capacity enabled operations for Boeing type large aircraft.

The new terminal building was inaugurated on 6 December 2010. The then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and several ministers attended the opening ceremony. The new terminal was designed as a fusion of Seljuk architecture and modern design and constructed with a capacity to serve three million passengers annually.

• Terminal Area: 20,047 m²
• Domestic Terminal Area: 1,350 m²
• Annual Passenger Capacity: 3,000,000
• Number of Check-in Counters: 16
• Baggage Handling System: Two total systems (one for arrivals, one for departures) serving both domestic and international flights

The terminal building offers various services to meet passenger needs:

• Cafes and food and beverage outlets
• Car rental offices
• Health unit
• Tourism information office
• ATM machines

Domestic and international hat passenger lounges are located within the same building and provide integrated services.

• Runway Length: 3,811 meters
• Runway Width: 45 meters
• This runway, one of the longest in Türkiye, has the capacity to accommodate large-bodied aircraft.

As of 2024, due to wear and technical issues on the existing runway, maintenance and repair works have been planned. To avoid flight disruptions, a decision was made to construct a new runway, and the project has been approved by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DHMİ). Once completed, the new runway will further increase the airport’s flight capacity and enhance operational efficiency.

Sivas Nuri Demirağ Airport operates both domestic and international flights. One of the prominent destinations is İzmir, with round-trip flights operating on two days of the week (Tuesday and Saturday). These flights began on 1 October 2024.

• Location: Sivas, Türkiye
• ICAO Code: LTAR
• IATA Code: VAS
• Geographic Coordinates: 39°48′51″N, 36°54′09″E
• Status: Civil airport
• Traffic Type: Domestic and international

Sivas Nuri Demirağ Airport has become one of the key air transport hubs in central and East central Anatolia regions due to its modern infrastructure, long runway capacity, contemporary terminal building, and diverse services. Named after Nuri Demirağ, a pioneer of Türkiye’s aviation history, this airport is not merely a transportation node but also carries historical and symbolic value. With its central location and evolving infrastructure, it makes a significant contribution to Türkiye’s regional aviation objectives.