# Istanbul Airport runway expansion and hub growth > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/istanbul-airport-runway-expansion > Updated: 2026-09-02T05:43:00.000Z. Sources: 54. Developments: 8. In late July 2026, Istanbul Airport opened its sixth runway (09/27), a 2,820m by 45m east-west strip primarily for domestic departures. Designed to avoid intersecting the main north-south traffic corridor, the runway allows for up to four simultaneous take-offs, which is intended to reduce taxi times, queuing delays, and fuel use. With this addition, Istanbul Airport became the world’s seventh airport with the most runways, joining facilities such as Chicago O'Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that the fourth runway, also 2,820m by 45m, is in its final construction phase. Temporary acceptance is expected in August, with a full operational launch slated for the fourth quarter of 2026 to support independent four-runway operations. Following the expansion, Istanbul Airport has seen significant growth in traffic. In July, the airport recorded 8.15 million passengers, overtaking London Heathrow (7.86 million) to become Europe’s busiest aviation hub. Heathrow’s passenger numbers on Middle East routes fell by 20.2% in July, a decline attributed to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. By mid-August, EUROCONTROL data confirmed Istanbul Airport surpassed major hubs like Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol, averaging 1,665 flights per day between August 10 and 16. By early September 2026, İGA Istanbul Airport CEO Selahattin Bilgen noted that while conflicts in the Gulf and Middle East have altered flight routes and increased costs, the airport remains a “secure transit hub for East-West connections.” Despite a 1% increase in annual seat capacity and a 2% rise in passenger numbers since the start of the year, OAG data shows the airport dropped from the 4th to the 6th busiest airport globally, trailing hubs such as Chicago, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. ## Claims - The fourth runway at Istanbul Airport is 2,820 metres long and 45 metres wide. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Construction of the fourth runway is in its final stage. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Temporary acceptance of the runway is scheduled for August. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Technical tests will be completed and the runway will become operational in the fourth quarter of the year. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The new runway will increase Istanbul Airport's operational capacity. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The runway will reduce aircraft taxi times. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The runway will enable future independent four‑runway operations. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced the runway details. (corroborated by 7 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-02: Istanbul Airport maintains European leadership despite global ranking shift Despite Middle East conflicts, aviation continues to grow. Istanbul Airport remains Europe's busiest but fell to 6th globally due to rapid competition from US and Chinese hubs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-airport-maintains-european-leadership-despite-global-ranking-shift ### 2026-08-31: Istanbul Airport sets new daily flight record for Europe Istanbul Airport set a new record with 1,787 daily flights, while work on its fourth main runway nears completion to support growing air traffic. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-airport-sets-new-daily-flight-record-for-europe ### 2026-08-21: Istanbul Airport becomes Europe's busiest aviation hub Istanbul Airport is now Europe's busiest airport with 1,665 daily flights, surpassing London, Paris, and Amsterdam. Turkey ranks sixth in Europe for total air traffic volume. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-airport-becomes-europes-busiest-aviation-hub ### 2026-08-18: Istanbul Airport overtakes Heathrow as Europe’s busiest hub Istanbul Airport has surpassed London Heathrow as Europe’s busiest airport, handling over 8.1 million passengers in July, according to recent aviation data. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-airport-overtakes-heathrow-as-europes-busiest-hub-2 ### 2026-08-15: Istanbul Airport overtakes Heathrow as Europe’s busiest hub Istanbul Airport has overtaken London Heathrow as Europe’s busiest hub, recording 8.15 million passengers in July 2026 and setting new daily records for flights and passenger volume. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-airport-overtakes-heathrow-as-europes-busiest-hub-1 ### 2026-08-11: Istanbul overtakes Heathrow as Europe's busiest airport Istanbul Airport has overtaken London Heathrow as Europe’s busiest airport, recording 8.15 million passengers in July compared to Heathrow’s 7.86 million, prompting calls for Heathrow's expansion. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-airport-overtakes-heathrow-as-europes-busiest-hub ### 2026-08-01: Istanbul Airport’s fourth runway nears completion as passenger record tops 289,000 Istanbul Airport’s fourth runway is set to open in late 2026, boosting capacity and cutting taxi times, as the airport hit a record 289,260 passengers on 1 August 2026. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-opens-mediamarkt-store-in-sivas-and-terminal-istanbul-tech-hub ### 2026-07-24: Istanbul Airport's Sixth Runway Ready for Four-Plane Simultaneous Takeoffs Istanbul Airport's new 2,820‑m runway enables four simultaneous takeoffs, trims taxi times and makes the hub the seventh airport globally with the most runways. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-airports-sixth-runway-ready-for-four-plane-simultaneous-takeoffs --- Cite as: Istanbul Airport runway expansion and hub growth. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/istanbul-airport-runway-expansion