Ankara Esenboğa Airport Enters New Era: New Tower and Third Runway Commissioned
Ankara, January 19, 2026 – Ankara Esenboğa Airport is set to usher in a new era of aviation infrastructure with the official commissioning of its new air traffic control tower and third runway today. The inauguration ceremony will be attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, marking a significant milestone in the airport’s development.
The comprehensive project, implemented without any financial burden on the state, represents a substantial investment of 298 million euros. In return for a 25-year operating period, the state is projected to receive 560 million euros in rental income, including VAT, without providing any passenger guarantees.
Enhanced Capacity and Operational Strength
The newly commissioned infrastructure is expected to significantly augment Esenboğa Airport’s capacity and operational strength. The first phase of the project, now complete, includes a 3,750-meter-long and 75-meter-wide third runway. This addition is complemented by a new 77-meter-high Air Traffic Control Tower and a 13,500-square-meter technical block, forming the backbone of the airport’s enhanced capabilities.
Furthermore, the project introduces a new cargo apron spanning 85,000 square meters with a capacity for six aircraft, along with associated taxiways and service roads, totaling approximately 945,000 square meters of paved area. Other key additions include three connecting taxiways and five rapid exit taxiways, a 5,850-square-meter flight control hangar, and various administrative and operational buildings.
The extensive construction work encompasses a 13,500-square-meter Air Traffic Control Tower and technical block, a 5,750-square-meter Customs Directorate building, a 4,750-square-meter special purpose garage, a 2,100-square-meter new ARFF (firefighting) station, a 4,750-square-meter heating center and water tank, an 825-square-meter special lighting maintenance building, an 800-square-meter apron barrier building, a 920-square-meter gate building, 15 guard towers, and a 232-square-meter main gate building, bringing the total construction area to 41,052 square meters.
Complementary works include an open-air parking lot for 1,200 vehicles, a 3,545-meter-long perimeter security wall, 12,020 meters of perimeter security wall lighting, and an 18,300-meter perimeter security wall camera surveillance system.
Significant Increase in Passenger and Aircraft Traffic
These investments are projected to elevate the airport’s annual passenger capacity from 20 million to 30 million. Data from 2020 onwards reveals a consistent increase in passenger traffic at Esenboğa Airport. In 2021, the airport served 7.029 million passengers, rising to 8.680 million in 2022, 11.951 million in 2023, 12.914 million in 2024, and reaching 13.988 million in 2025. This represents nearly a twofold increase in passenger numbers over five years.
Similarly, total aircraft traffic has seen a substantial rise, from 66,913 in 2021 to 103,298 in 2025, an increase of approximately 54 percent. Projections for the next decade indicate that passenger traffic is expected to increase by 65 percent, reaching over 23 million by 2035, and exceeding 31 million by 2045.
The inauguration of these new facilities underscores Ankara Esenboğa Airport’s commitment to enhancing its role as a key aviation hub, capable of accommodating growing passenger and cargo demands while ensuring operational efficiency and safety.
Source: https://www.sabah.com.tr/ekonomi/ankara-esenboga-havalimaninda-yeni-donem-yeni-kule-ve-ucuncu-pist-hizmete-giriyor-7506716
