Simultaneous Triple Independent Runway Operations at Istanbul Airport (2025)

The Simultaneous Triple Independent Runway Operations at Istanbul Airport refer to a new air traffic management system introduced on April 17, 2025. This system allows three aircraft to take off or land at the same time on fully independent runways. Istanbul Airport is the first in Europe to operationalize this structure.

The simultaneous triple runway operations were officially inaugurated on April 17, 2025. Acting on the command of Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, three Turkish Airlines aircraft departed concurrently from runways 34L, 35L, and 36. With this event, Türkiye became the second country in the world—after the United States—and the first in Europe to implement this system.

_{Simultaneous triple independent runway operation radar image, April 17, 2025 - FlightRadar25}

Preparations for the system began in the last quarter of 2022. The process was conducted in collaboration with the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMİ), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM), Eurocontrol, Turkish Airlines (THY), and İGA Airport Operations. Safety assessments were conducted, airspace was redesigned, and training programs based on operational scenarios were implemented. A total of 500 air traffic controllers received 4,500 hours of training during this period.

The system enables simultaneous arrivals and departures on three independent runways at Istanbul Airport. With this structure, the airport’s hourly air traffic capacity has increased from 120 to 148 aircraft movements. The system aims to accelerate air traffic and reduce airborne holding times, thereby improving operational efficiency.

The operational infrastructure is supported by advanced radar systems, full integration of Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM), optimized slot management, digitally enhanced taxiing processes, and predictive analytics. Real-time data and forecasting tools enable air traffic controllers to manage dynamic traffic more effectively.

_{Istanbul Airport simultaneous triple independent runway operation, April 17, 2025 - Anadolu Agency}

The triple independent runway operations have been developed in alignment with Istanbul Airport’s long-term capacity targets. Once all phases of the airport are completed, the facility is expected to accommodate up to 200 million passengers annually. The system enhances efficiency in both passenger and cargo operations, raises service quality, and reduces delays.

The infrastructure, which is integrated with Turkish Cargo’s SmartIST center, also facilitates growth in cargo capacity. While Istanbul Airport handled 1.97 million tons of cargo in 2024, this figure is projected to reach 4.5 million tons with the completion of SmartIST’s second phase.

The implementation of the system was the result of a collaborative effort between public and private sector entities. Preparatory work was conducted with contributions from İGA, DHMİ, SHGM, Eurocontrol, and Turkish Airlines. Technical, administrative, and training processes were coordinated through a multi-stakeholder model. Airspace redesign and scenario-based training formed the foundation of the operational transition.