Istanbul Airport City – IGA Istanbul Airport and the Future of Istanbul’s Global Hub

Prioritize seamless tram integration and a unified ticketing system to unlock value at Istanbul Airport City. As indicated in the raporunu, the core growth drivers are transport access, exhibitions and retail, and flexible work and living spaces. Some milestones were postponed, but provided data shows it’s feasible to accelerate with phased funding and clear ownership. The plan relies on cards and mobile passes to faydalanabilmek across zones, and on video kiosks that serve both travelers and locals.

To accelerate adoption, ensure the tram line connects directly to terminals, the logistics park, and the exhibitions district, while keeping the user experience at the center. For your uçuşunuz, clear wayfinding, real-time updates on phones and mobile devices, and concise maps reduce confusion. The development includes four types of districts: office towers, hotels, lifestyle retail, and cultural venues; the exhibitions area will host multiple halls and pop-up spaces. This mix keeps demand enough for regular activity and events, with steady traffic across seasons.

Pricing and occupancy planning will use flexible terms: rental price ranges for offices and retail will adjust with market cycles; price changes will be tied to length of lease and occupancy. The approach keeps the core assets competitive and attractive for international brands while supporting local startups.

Water stewardship sits at the core of the site’s sustainability. Water recycling, rainwater harvesting, and smart meters cut waste and operating costs while delivering a better visitor experience. The project accounts for reliable power and a robust telecoms layer, with phones and other devices supported by a resilient network to meet needs across a mixed-use campus.

Exhibitions, conferences, and hotels will anchor participation; retailers can offer cards and loyalty programs, creating a cyclical experience for locals and visitors. The plan also includes provided support for startups and cultural partners, with time-bound pilots that can be extended if demand confirms the trajectory.

Scope, governance, and phased milestones for Istanbul Airport City

Form a dedicated Steering Office within 30 days to define scope, lock in devredilemez rights, and align with arnavutköy plans and uluslararası standards. The Program Management Office (PMO) must be led by polat, with cana da–based and other uluslararası partners, to ensure clear leads and accountable delivery across all workstreams.

Scope

• Define the core asset set: modular pods and cabins deployed in connected clusters, with pochette-bag concepts integrated into passenger flow and staff workflows.
• Establish a robust network backbone and digital layer: high‑capacity network, phones provisioning, loud signage, and accessible services for yolcular and on-site teams.
• Design family‑friendly spaces and wayfinding for children, including safe play zones and clear paths for strollers and caregivers.
• Coordinate with arnavutköy district authorities and uluslararası operators to align zoning, traffic, transit nodes, and curb access for vehicles.
• Set cost targets and phased investment, reserving space for Ücretsiz trials and pilot zones while protecting non-transferable (devredilemez) license terms.
• Place anchors around terminals, cargo precincts, and passenger concourses to ensure a continuous, coherent network of pods and cabins.
• Adopt a design language that uses silver accents and durable materials, with local sourcing where possible and Canada-based suppliers for specific tech components.
• Where possible, bundle services into clear offers that add value for yolcular, staff, and visiting partners without creating unnecessary complexity.

Governance

• Institute a Steering Committee (SC) with leads from the airport authority, polat, and uluslararası partners to approve scope changes, budgets, and major contracts; embed devredilemez rights in all key deals.
• Form a PMO to track milestones, manage risk, and coordinate with arnavutköy authorities and national agencies, providing hourly status updates on critical workstreams.
• Define procurement rules that balance local supplier engagement with selective uluslararası bids; implement transparent scoring and clear leads for each category.
• Publish a concise data and safety posture, with metrics focused on yolcular experience, network reliability, and staff safety; maintain strict privacy guidelines.
• Establish active governance channels: weekly checks, monthly reviews, and quarterly stakeholder meetings; implement a formal change-control process to keep momentum.
• Engage canada‑based universities and firms for technology pilots and knowledge exchange, ensuring the network can adapt to evolving needs while remaining cost-conscious.

Phased milestones

1. Phase 1 (0–6 months): lock scope, secure regulatory alignment, appoint the PMO, finalize contracts with polat and uluslararası partners, and set a two-year funding plan. Define initial Ücretsiz pilot scope and establish devredilemez terms for early pilots; map arn nyt avt köy connections and yolcular routes to the first deployments.

2. Phase 2 (6–12 months): deploy prototype pods and cabins in select precincts; validate pochette-bag handling, induction spaces, and staff onboarding flows. Install the initial network backbone, test phones integration, deploy loud wayfinding, and ensure accessibility for children and people with mobility needs; begin family zones and active monitoring.

3. Phase 3 (12–24 months): expand network coverage and service layers across key terminals; integrate vehicle access points and curb operations; test through-traffic in the arnavutköy corridor and adjacent zones; reinforce maintenance partnerships with can canada-based suppliers; fine‑tune price ladders to avoid expensive overdesigns.

4. Phase 4 (24–36 months): scale pilots site‑wide, extend pods and cabins into additional clusters, and launch Ücretsiz service windows for selected features; implement aktiv monitoring and continuous air/Noise checks to keep operations smooth for yolcular and staff; finalize governance handover to long‑term operations.

5. Phase 5 (36+ months): review outcomes, validate expansions to new zones, connect Istanbul Airport City to international hubs, and establish ongoing improvement loops; reinforce the leads network and secure additional funding streams for sustained growth while preserving the devredilemez framework.

Transport integration: connecting airport, metro, roads, and surrounding districts

Recommendation: Create a single, clearly signposted transport spine at havalimanında arrivals that links the terminal to metro stations, road corridors, and nearby districts, enabling door-to-door transfers for four main modes of transit: metro, HAVAIST buses, private vehicles, and ride-hailing lanes. Upon arrival, follow a unified path from check-in to the boarding points, with tactile and visual cues for accessibility. This setup reduces time for arriving passengers and helps reader navigate quickly.

Aktif coordination across HAVAIST, metro, and road operators keeps the spine in sync, with staff guiding travelers at key stations and curbside check-ins. Genel signage uses Turkish, English, and other languages, while loud announcements and visual cues aid diverse readers. Wheelchair-accessible routes, level boarding, and spaces in waiting areas ensure comfort; cabins on longer legs offer more room for luggage. Exhibitions and farklı pop-ups near the arrivals zone showcase distriklar and offer indirimli transit passes to encourage exploration.

From the terminal, a short, level path links to metro and HAVAIST stops, serving milyon travelers annually. The four-zone model offers a single fare that covers zones arasında airport and city center, with indirimli options for students and seniors. Tickets can be bought on the websitesinden or at check-in kiosks; this approach leads to smoother flows and less walking for busy days, while time in queues drops noticeably.

Sustainability and resilience: energy, water, waste, and green spaces in Connect

Implement a centralized sustainability dashboard across Connect within 12 months to cut emissions by 20%, reduce potable water demand by 40%, and divert 80% of waste from landfill. Install 25–30 MW of rooftop solar on concourses and large halls, plus HVAC heat pumps and battery storage to power elevators, gates, and doors while peak loads align with daylight. Use video analytics to adjust lighting and ventilation in every cabin and concourse, and employ otomatik controls for entrance flows to minimize energy use. Passengers can access the dashboard on their phone to see personal and system-wide savings, while kupon incentives for public transit encourage every yolcu to choose sustainable options; havalimanında sensors report energy and water totals across spaces between Küçükçekmece and Connect. Dünya’ya çalışıyoruz.

Energy and water strategy

In Connect, target 30% of electricity from on-site renewables by 2030, rising to 50% by 2035; achieve 60% non-potable water use for toilets and irrigation through rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse, with a yearly capacity of about 1.2 million liters. Implement low-flow fixtures in all toilets and cabins; optimize cooling towers with a closed-loop system and intelligent pumps to reduce water waste. Deploy automated demand-response that lowers HVAC energy during peak grid hours while maintaining comfort for yolcu areas, concourses, and video-enabled lounges. The plan is devredilemez for long-term resilience.

Waste, green spaces, and accessibility

Sort waste at source with color-coded bins across every concourse, and push a target of 90% diversion from landfill by 2035. Convert organics to energy via anaerobic digestion where feasible, and reuse construction spoil for landscaping to create approximately 50 hectares of green spaces, bioswales, and rooftop gardens that improve air quality (hava) and stormwater management. Design for disabilities with accessible entrances, automatic doors, tactile guidance, and elevator access to all concourses; ensure that video signage and audio announcements serve diverse needs. Between the main gateways and inner passenger routes, use between spaces to create pleasant microclimates and shade; corridors and pathways connect easily with the entrance and gates while serving as scenic routes for passengers and staff. This approach, built with a strong focus on accessibility and comfort, aligns with Istanbul’s vision for a green, resilient hub.

Digital backbone and passenger experience: data, apps, and services inside IGA City

Launch a unified passenger app and in-terminal cockpit that ties real-time flight data, ground transport, and personalized offers into one experience for guests that travel through IGA City, powered by a robust data backbone.

Across terminals and gates, a network of edge nodes, sensors, and kiosks feeds a single user-centric interface. The backbone supports live updates on arrivals, departures, baggage handling, havaist shuttle status, and nearby attractions such as museums. Data volume scales with annual traffic, yet privacy-by-design controls keep passport and personal data secure. In numbers, the system relies on 280+ edge nodes, 3,200 sensors, 900 digital kiosks, and a daily event stream of roughly 1.5 billion records that fuel fast, context-aware responses.

Guests navigate with confidence through a Turkish-fronted and multilingual layer. The general flow integrates gates, doors, and cabins into the journey, while voice-enabled assistants answer questions, guide through island-like museum districts, and suggest paket options that fit a traveler’s schedule. Although some services are premium, the core experience remains accessible and reliable–never expensive to use for basic inquiries, yet capable of expanding into luxury offers for VIP guests.

The app ecosystem connects with havaist and other local transit operators across the city, offering real-time bus, tram, and shuttle data. Before a trip, users planlarken can preload a customized schedule that blends airport access with city excursions, museums visits, and dining opportunities. The platform also enables seamless satış for in-terminal services, from lounge access to guided tours, with options that range from quick passes to full-day paket packages.

Data governance and security sit at the heart of every feature. A consent-first model lets guests control what is shared, while TÜBİTAK-aligned standards guide open interfaces and interoperability with partner networks and alliances. The result is a scalable, modular service layer that can grow across alliances and with ISPs, hotels, and transport networks that connect through miles of fiber and wireless coverage.

IGA City’s digital backbone also supports replicable experiences for island-adjacent experiences, cabins, and door-to-gate wayfinding. The same data streams power targeted offers, activity recommendations, and navigation cues that help guests discover unique touchpoints–from luxury lounges to immersive museum corridors–without losing pace on their itineraries.

Implementation blueprint

• Deploy a single, API-first passenger app plus in-terminal kiosks that share a common data model for flights, transfers, and city services.
• Integrate havaist schedules, tram routes, and shuttle statuses to deliver synchronized transfer windows for every traveler.
• Implement voice-enabled assistants that handle routine queries, room- or cabin-level directions, and package recommendations in Turkish and English.
• Offer paket options and satış flows within the app, with clear pricing, reservations, and cancelation rules to minimize friction for guests.
• Establish privacy controls and a governance framework with planlarken inputs from genel stakeholders, including tübitak for standards and testing
• Roll out context-aware push notifications that respect user preferences and provide actionable guidance at gates, doors, and transfer points.

Guest-centric features

• Personalized journeys that blend airport processes with city experiences, including island-area museums and luxury lounges for pre- or post-flight stays.
• Offline maps for quiet zones near gates and exhibitions, with a transit overlay linking to havaist and tram services.
• Multi-language support, intuitive wayfinding, and accessible paths for guests with mobility needs across terminals and halls.
• Passport-ready digital boarding passes, baggage tips, and seamless check-ins that reduce queuing and boost satisfaction.
• Real-time alerts about seat changes, gate reassignments, and timely recommendations for dining, shopping, or cultural tours (veya alternative options).
• Integrated loyalty and alliance offers that cross border experiences, with miles earning and redemptions visible in one place.

Global logistics hub: cargo operations, warehousing, and supply-chain connectivity

Implement a single, real-time data spine for cargo operations across all lines and locations, linking front-end intake, warehousing, and departing freight under one platform to cope with change and deliver predictable schedules for travellers.

To speed flow, align docks with a central operations desk that coordinates gates, lines, and emergency workflows. Although safety checks remain strict, we aim to keep pace by deploying a 24/7 hub in an offices area, with sign-branded guidance showing hours and current fees at each stop. Deploy pods and cabins for quick handling and use electric tractors and pallet jacks to move cargo between zones, reducing manual lifting and time on the tarmac. Facilities include a dedicated area for staff and their children near lounges.

A key feature is a scalable warehousing network around key locations, with maksimum capacity planned for peak periods and multi-zone storage for general, cold, and hazardous goods. Use cross-docked processes to shorten time from arrival to outbound loading, and provide dedicated spaces for travellers’ items in a secure lounge area. Integrate electric power supplies, battery charging, and data pods to keep operations connected across offices and storage bays.

Ensure supply-chain connectivity across carriers, suppliers, and customs by standardizing data formats and offering a shared platform that customers can monitor in real time. Use çifte authentication for high-value consignments, and set clear stop points for inspection while keeping lines moving. Signposted routes, visible fees, and a current timetable help agents and milyon-strong shipments track progress throughout the day, from arriving aircraft to departing trucks, while travellers pass through gates and lounges. Maintain emergency readiness and a plan to scale staffing in hours of peak demand, serving both the local economy and international customers across Istanbul’s global hub. The system also supports electronic claim processing for damage or loss, ensuring accountability throughout the network.

Economic blueprint: job creation, investment, and business ecosystems around the hub

Open a dedicated investment window anchored at Zincirlikuyu and the arrivals precinct to fast-track permits, align with TÜBİTAK-backed R&D, and unlock fayda for developers and firms locating near the hub. Define a paket of incentives: five-year tax relief, accelerated depreciation, and favorable loan terms, plus a streamlined genel approvals path. Implement induction programs for new tenants to integrate supply chains quickly. Leverage property opportunities around turquoise waterfronts and an island-like micro-zone to host logistics, luggage handling facilities, and retail outlets.

Projected job impact targets: direct employment around 120,000 and total indirect roles of 230,000–250,000 by 2035. Prioritize sectors such as logistics, hospitality, travel services, and e-commerce support. Create a dedicated luggage handling campus to optimize passenger and cargo flows, reducing dwell times and boosting service positions on site. Use a Turkish-language recruitment push and rapid onboarding to fill roles in arrival processing, customs facilitation, and customer service.

Investment flows aim for 12-15 milyar USD in capex over the next decade, with roughly 40% from international funds and 60% from Turkish developers. Build three ecosystems: logistics space and technology, outlets and experiential retail, and knowledge-based services assisted by TÜBİTAK. Deliver roughly 1.2-1.5 milyon square meters of mixed-use space by 2035, with anchor projects near the turquoise coast and maksimum occupancy targets that ensure steady cash flow. Encourage bundled property packages that mix housing, offices, and retail to accelerate hayata and stabilize returns.

Business ecosystems form around a küresel corridor that links freight tech, e-commerce, and hospitality. Establish a TÜBİTAK-backed R&D fund to push automation, smart warehousing, and data-driven operations. Install a viewing pavilion for investors, with demonstration bays and a runway-facing overlook to demonstrate throughput and security. Create a phased supply network: primary suppliers within a short drive, secondary partners nearby, all aligned to secure, resilient operations and measurable performance. Approvals can move in sürede to minimize delays.

Implementation governance assigns Yavuz to lead genel coordination with a 10-year road map and quarterly reviews. Designate öncelikli sectors for accelerated inşa and active investment; equip the team with a paket of incentives, streamlined permitting, and robust security. Maintain Turkish and global talent pipelines through local universities and TÜBİTAK collaborations, ensuring a steady inflow of skilled staff as the hub scales. Target half-year milestones and continuous improvement cycles to keep momentum and hayata fast execution.

Public realm and community access: housing, education, healthcare, and civic amenities

Build a dense, mixed-income housing block within 800 meters of a primary school, a health clinic, and a civic plaza, with a turquoise pedestrian spine and elevators in every core, so residents have enough access to daily needs without long detours. A single website centralizes updates, and a passport-style access for residents simplifies entry to shared services while preserving safety.

Housing and mobility

Design clusters around on-foot networks that minimize car dependence. Use geçiş points at every major crossing and create island refuges where pedestrians pause; place amenities on a logical loop that takes no more than 10–12 minutes to reach on foot. Incorporate tactile signage and audible cues along main routes, ensuring suyu fountains and water dispensers are easy to locate with clear outlets for charging devices. Kulanarak universal design, every residential core includes at least two elevators and wide doors to accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, and groups of women and elders. Distance targets are measured in ayak for local scale, with streetscapes that invite spontaneous gatherings and allow retention of energy in the public realm while reducing environmental stress on tenants.

Self-guided tours and wayfinding apps on the website help arrivals plan routes from the island stations to courtyards, markets, and child-care facilities. Although weather events occur, the core geometry remains active and safe, with covered walkways and sheltered seating that invite residents to linger and socialize–supporting a sense of belonging beyond housing alone. Priority is given to safe, well-lit routes that connect housing blocks to schools, clinics, and civic hubs, reinforcing the city’s year-round vitality.

Education, healthcare, and civic amenities

Place schools, clinics, and civic facilities within short, clearly marked walks from homes, with direct indoor connections between sister facilities to reduce transit time. Include flexible classrooms and multipurpose spaces for exhibitions and cultural talks, enabling cul­tural programming (exhibitions) to emerge organically from neighborhood needs (ortaya). Public spaces host regular programs for families and women, with safe play zones and well-placed seating to accommodate different needs and ages. signage uses a turquoise accent to aid wayfinding, and tactile floor textures help visitors with visual impairments navigate with confidence. Ensure arrivals are streamlined via a well-designed arrival zone and passport-like entry for authorized visitors during events.

Healthcare access prioritizes walk-in clinics and telemedicine kiosks, with three micro-clinics dispersed across the campus and one health hub that coordinates services for chronic conditions. Drinking water is available through multiple dispensers, with outlets for charging devices and accessibility features in all restrooms. Education and civic life integrate with shared arts spaces, libraries, and a diminutive culture center that hosts regular exhibitions and performances, reinforcing lifelong learning and active citizenship. The overall plan treats public services as a connected fabric, not isolated buildings, so residents can complete multiple needs within a single loop of activity.