Named after the world’s first female combat pilot, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport is located 35km (22 miles) from the centre of Istanbul, on the Asian side of the city. Built in response to ever rising numbers of visitors to Istanbul, the airport handled about 11 million passengers in 2010.
Comprising one newly built terminal for both international and domestic arrivals and departures, Sabiha Gokcen International has a capacity of 25 million passengers (which it expects to reach by 2023) and a host of shops, facilities and services that are on par with global standards. In 2010, it was awarded the title “World’s Best Airport” at the World Low Cost Airlines Congress in London.
With a light rail link scheduled to be completed at the end of 2011 (reducing travelling time to the city to 29 minutes), as well as an extensive array of existing transport options available to and from the city, Sabiha Gokcen International is a convenient gateway to Istanbul and surrounds. Moreover, friendly and efficient staff make it a pleasure to visit.