New Antalya terminal set for summer season

ANTALYA / BALIKESİR - Hürriyet Daily News

Transport Minister Binali Yıldırım says a renewed terminal at Antalya airport is offering visitors an easier check-in process and enjoyable pre-flight experiences. DHA photo

ICF Airports Antalya Airport on Turkey’s southern coast is preparing to welcome a busy holiday season thanks to an additional 10.5 million-euro investment in its second international terminal.

As a result of restructuring that began in December, the annual capacity of the terminal has been increased by 2 million to 21 million, according to a statement by the operator company.

“Airports are the display windows of a country,” Transport Minister Binali Yıldırım said during a ceremony over the weekend to mark the renovation.

Commenting on the “Open Gate” implementation at the airport, he said: “The guests, the visitors to here, will avoid one of the checkpoints. The checks will be faster.”

The total number of passengers using Antalya airport exceeded 25 million in 2011 and the capacity is now 35 million, Yıldırım said.

A hard year of competition

IC İçtaş Chairman Fırat Çeçen said his company was working hard to provide world-class services to both passengers and airlines at Antalya airport.

IÇ İçtaş executives also said Turkish airports had gained shares from Spanish, Greek and Egyptian markets in 2011 and that the competition would be harder this year. However, the operator is dedicated to largely increasing the number of passengers this year.
The facility also includes a 500-square-meter terrace for smokers.

Edremit airport to be renewed

Yıldırım also joined a groundbreaking ceremony in the northwestern province of Balıkesir for an additional terminal building at Edremit Körfez Airport.

Commenting on a recent debate on the name of the airport, Yıldırım said the name would be converted to “Corporal Seyit,” a hero from the Battle of Gallipoli during World War I.

 “This airport will befit Corporate Seyit’s dignity, who carried a 300 kilogram shell on his back for the sake of the country’s independence,” Yıldırım said.

The head of Turkey’s Airport Authority (DHMİ), Orhan Birdal, said at the ceremony that the airport would serve both domestic and international flights with a new investment of 39 million Turkish Liras.
The construction work will be finished in 700 days, according ko Birdal.

Murat Türkseven, chairman of the contractor Türkseven İnşaat, said his colleagues would work around the clock to finish the project on time.