TAV in talks to build new terminal at Atatürk

ISTANBUL - Reuters

TAV CEO Sani Şener says the company aims to reach 65 to 70 million passengers at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport by 2021. DHA photo

Turkish airport builder and operator TAV is in talks with the state airport authority to build a new international terminal at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, Chief Executive Sani Şener has said.

The terminal will boost its capacity at the Turkish Airlines hub, already the third busiest airport in Europe, by 10 million passengers, Şener told reporters in the late hours of June 2.

There are already two airports in Istanbul, Atatürk Airport on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Asian side of the city, with a new airport being planned for the European side. The first phase of the third airport construction will begin in June, and is expected to become operational by 2016.

However, neither the government, nor TAV have made any announcements regarding whether Atatürk Airport will be deactivated or not.

Without touching on the issue, Şener recalled the company’s concession agreement will expire in 2021, but said they will keep investing in the flagship of the firm.

“We are working to increase Atatürk Airport’s capacity to an annual 65 to 70 million passengers until our time is up,” Şener said, noting the new terminal investment will be worth approximately 100 million euros.

Int’l opportunities in sight

He said TAV sees flourishing opportunities in both the domestic and international markets.

The number of flights per person in Turkey was 0.49 and today is at 1.94, he said, expressing expectations to see this ratio increasing to approximately 3 in the upcoming 15 years. The company is also looking into opportunities to grow internationally, expanding its regional presence, Şener said.
“There are many opportunities in southeast Asia and Africa. There are around 10 to 12 files at our table, but we haven’t made the final decision,” he said.

Şener also said TAV expects a decision on its bid to operate a terminal at New York’s LaGuardia Airport in July or August.

TAV said last year the consortium behind the bid included TAV shareholder Aeroports de Paris, Goldman Sachs and Tutor Perini Corp.

The state Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, which operates LaGuardia, began a tender process for companies interested in redeveloping and operating the New York hub’s main Central Terminal, whose outdated design prevents modern airplanes from using the terminal and causes delays.
The $3.6 billion project is expected to be completed by 2021.

TAV already operates airports in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Macedonia, Georgia and Latvia.