3rd runway to be built at Esenboğa Airport via public-private partnership

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that an investment of approximately 298 million euros will be made at Esenboğa Airport, adding, "Within the scope of the project, which will be carried out in two stages, our Ankara Esenboğa Airport will gain a 3rd runway." Examining the Esenboğa Airport Development Project, Uraloğlu said that the airport is one of the most important symbols of the country's growth indicators over the last 21 years.

"THERE IS GREAT DEMAND FOR AIR TRANSPORTATION TO ANKARA"

Stating that they previously renovated the existing airport to meet the needs of the era, increasing its capacity to accommodate 20 million passengers per year, Uraloğlu said, "However, there is such great demand for air transportation to Ankara that even this capacity is insufficient for Esenboğa Airport. Statistics also show this reality. For this reason, we continue to develop Esenboğa Airport with an innovative, visionary perspective."

Pointing out that the aviation sector grew continuously with record increases every year until 2019, Uraloğlu noted that 2020 was a year when transportation activities came to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 2021 was a year when the effects of the pandemic gradually began to disappear.

Explaining that approximately 67 thousand flights were recorded at Esenboğa Airport in 2021, with over 7 million passengers hosted, Uraloğlu reported that the number of passengers hosted in 2022 rose to approximately 8 million 700 thousand.

70 THOUSAND FLIGHTS IN 9 MONTHS

Drawing attention to the fact that these numbers will be far exceeded this year, Uraloğlu noted the following:

"Even before 2023 was completed, approximately 70 thousand flights were recorded at Esenboğa Airport in the first 9 months. This number was around 45 thousand in the same period last year. Again, the number of passengers, which was approximately 6 million 420 thousand in the same period last year, rose to approximately 9 million this year. There is an increase of nearly 40 percent compared to the same period last year, and we foresee that this number will continue to increase in the coming years."

"560 MILLION EUROS WILL ENTER THE STATE TREASURY IN 25 YEARS"

Reminding that they held the public-private partnership tender covering the additional investment and 25-year operation of Esenboğa Airport last December, Uraloğlu made the following assessment:

"We will make an investment of approximately 298 million euros without a single penny coming out of the state treasury. Within the scope of the project, which will be carried out in two stages, our Ankara Esenboğa Airport will gain a 3rd runway. In addition to the construction of the 3rd runway, which will be evaluated within the scope of the first stage, works such as a fire station, a special-purpose vehicle entrance building, the rehabilitation of the ASKİ Ulupınar Creek, a technical block and tower, a heating center and water tank, a flight control hangar, an aircraft wastewater treatment plant, and cargo expansion areas will be carried out. Within the scope of the second stage, terminal building expansion of at least 40 thousand square meters, a general aviation apron, and taxiway works will be carried out."

Stating that 560 million euros, including VAT, will enter the state treasury throughout the 25-year operation period, Uraloğlu said that 140 million euros, including VAT, which corresponds to 25 percent of the 25-year rent, was collected on May 27. Uraloğlu stated that excavation and filling works are currently continuing on the 3rd runway section within the scope of the project.