One-week suspension of services on the Istanbul Airport metro: Alternative transport routes activated
Due to signaling and infrastructure integration work on the M11 metro line, services on the Gayrettepe-Halkalı metro, a key transport hub, have been suspended until June 19. The number of bus services has been increased for passengers.
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The Gayrettepe-Halkalı M11 metro line, one of the main arteries for air transport in Istanbul, will be out of service for one week due to comprehensive technical work. As part of the signaling, system testing, maintenance, and various infrastructure operations carried out by the Republic of Türkiye State Railways (TCDD), the metro line has been temporarily closed as of June 14.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdülkadir Uraloğlu stated that all M11 services have been suspended until June 18, announcing, "During this period, no service will be provided at any station on the line." With the resumption of services, the new extensions of the line will also be opened for passenger use.
NEW STATIONS READY: FULL CAPACITY STARTING JUNE 19
Once the work is completed, the new stations of the line extending from Gayrettepe to Halkalı will be put into operation. The stations currently in service are: Gayrettepe (Metrobus-Zincirlikuyu), Kağıthane, Üniversite-Hasdal, Kemerburgaz, Göktürk, İhsaniye, Istanbul Airport, Cargo Terminal, Taşoluk, and Arnavutköy Hospital. As of June 19, the Fenertepe, Kayaşehir, Olimpiyatköy, Halkalı Stadium, and Halkalı stations will also be included in the transport network.
The opening ceremony is expected to be held with high-level participation alongside the stations to be added to the new line.
Due to this temporary closure on the metro line, a series of alternative transport measures have been taken for Istanbul Airport passengers. While the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and relevant transport institutions have increased the frequency of Havaist buses, IETT lines numbered H-1, H-2, H-3, H-6, H-8, and H-9 will also be reinforced with additional buses according to demand.
Authorities advise passengers to add at least 1 hour to their travel time to reach the airport, taking into account potential disruptions. Buses departing from central points of the city (Taksim, Kadıköy, Aksaray, Beşiktaş) will be the most effective way to reach the airport while the metro is closed.
IGA and Turkish Airlines officials recommend that all passengers plan their travel accordingly to avoid any risk of missing flights.
Following this interruption, which will last approximately one week, a significant improvement in access to the airport is expected with the new metro stations in Istanbul.