Istanbul Atatürk adds most long-haul routes in Europe

ISTANBUL

Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport was declared the airport with the most new long-haul routes at the Euro Annies 2015 Awards, the airport’s operator, TAV Airports, said in a written statement on Sept. 15. 

Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport in Antalya was also selected the fastest growing airport in its category.

Increasing the number of long-haul routes from 36 to 40, Atatürk Airport received the award at the Euro Annies 2015, where the best players in the aviation sector are awarded. Meanwhile, the Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport received the title of the fastest growing airport in Europe in the category of airports welcoming between 100,000 and 1 million passengers. 

In 2014, Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport achieved a growth rate of 115 percent, according to the statement. 

“Providing service to 422,000 aircraft and 57 million passengers in 2014, Atatürk Airport was ranked the fourth airport in Europe and the 13th airport in the world. Today, 128 airline companies launch flights to 276 domestic and international destinations from Atatürk Airport. Our work conducted together with all of our stakeholders, particularly the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMİ), Turkish Airlines and the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM), will continue to win recognition,” said TAV Airports Vice President Kemal Ünlü.

In 2014, the number of long-haul flights departing from Atatürk Airport increased from 36 to 40 with new Turkish Airlines flights and reciprocal flights to Manila, Taipei Taoyuan, San Francisco and Jakarta, according to the statement. 

Gazipaşa-Alanya also provided services to 726,000 passengers, posting a growth rate of 115 percent compared to 2013, said the company.