Revolutionizing Aviation: Istanbul’s Great Move
Modern aviation isn’t just about speed or altitude; it’s also about managing massive volumes of both passengers and cargo. When an airport becomes overwhelmed, it faces severe logistical obstacles. This was the case for Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport, which hit a ceiling due to urban constraints, prompting the need for a monumental transition.
The Great Move: A Historical Shift
This massive endeavor, termed The Great Move, saw the entire airport relocated in an unprecedented operation. In less than 45 hours, the center of air transport in Istanbul shifted 42 kilometers north to the newly established Istanbul Airport (IST), marking the most significant move in civil aviation history.
Preparation: ORAT and Its Importance
The operational transfer was carried out using ORAT (Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer), indicative of meticulous planning and preparation. Two years prior, 33,000 airport staff were trained, and large-scale drills were conducted to ensure all potential issues were addressed.
The final transfer phase occurred during a continuous 45-hour window from April 5 to April 6, 2019. Over 10,000 pieces of equipment, totaling a phenomenal 47,300 tons, were moved—all in record time.
Challenges and Engineering Marvels
Executing such a massive airport transition without a hitch is extremely challenging. Airports operate as complex systems with interdependent elements such as fuel, air traffic control, security, IT, passengers, and baggage handling. Disconnecting, transporting, and reconnecting these systems without disrupting air traffic in one of the world’s busiest cities was an exceptional technical feat.
What made “The Great Move” even more remarkable was its ability to consolidate Istanbul as a vital hub linking Europe and Asia, standing strong against competitors like Doha and Dubai. Without this move, the growth of Turkish Airlines would have stagnated due to the limitations imposed by the old airport.
Context: The Need for New Infrastructure
By 2017, Atatürk Airport was already the fifth busiest airport in Europe and served nearly 70 million passengers in 2018. Despite this, its urban location on three sides hindered expansion, while the surrounding Sabiha Gökçen Airport had also reached its capacity. The constraints prevented the operation of larger aircraft like the Airbus A380, making the decision to shift essential.
The final flight from Atatürk was Turkish Airlines flight TK54, which departed for Singapore on April 6, 2019, at 2:44 AM, officially closing Atatürk Airport.
Key Metrics: The Scale of the Operation
The magnitude of “The Great Move” is evidenced by several impressive figures:
- Initially planned for 45 hours, it was completed in even less time (33-30 hours according to various sources).
- Over 10,000 pieces of equipment moved, weighing a staggering 47,300 tons—comparable to the size of 33 football fields.
- 686 semi-trailers were utilized for transportation.
- 1,800 personnel directly participated in the operation.
- Vehicles traveled an estimated total of 400,000 kilometers, equivalent to circling the Earth around ten times.
Execution: A Real-Time Undertaking
The operation’s success hinged on advanced planning that included 100 meetings and involvement from three logistics companies. Details of vehicle movements were outlined in 15-minute increments. A specialized route was established, and rigorous checks ensured that each vehicle was monitored at the departure gate and en route.
On April 6, 2019, at 2:59 AM, the IATA codes were officially switched: Atatürk’s IST code became ISL, allowing for a seamless transition to the new airport. Both airports were closed for a significant 12-hour window to facilitate the move.
The New Era: Istanbul Airport
With an estimated budget of 22 billion euros, Istanbul Airport became the second most expensive airport ever constructed. Designed with a single terminal covering 1.4 million square meters, it currently accommodates 90 million passengers annually, with plans to expand to 200 million.
As air traffic increases, Istanbul Airport is poised to be a world leader, expected to serve 85 million passengers by 2025—making it the second busiest airport in Europe, behind Heathrow, and the seventh worldwide.