Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport Passenger Traffic Rises 3.4 Pct In 1H2019

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- The Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (ISGIA), which is wholly-owned and managed by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), registered 16.7 million passenger traffic movements as at June this year (1H2019), rising a further 3.4 per cent from the same period last year. In 2018, ISGIA registered 34.1 million passenger traffic movements and a revenue of RM1.15 billion. "With the recently completed boarding hall expansion, the airport’s capacity has increased to 41 million passengers per annum (mppa) from 33 mppa previously. "The Turkish government is also in the midst of constructing a second runway at the airport, which is due to be completed by 2020, and is expected to double ISGIA’s airside capacity," MAHB said in a statement in conjunction with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad visit to the airport, Friday. ISGIA is the second largest airport in Turkey and is the world’s busiest single runway and terminal. It is also a hub for Turkey’s largest carriers, Pegasus Airlines and Turkish Airlines, as well as 56 other airlines operating from the airport, serving 38 domestic and 108 international destinations. MAHB said the future for ISGIA remains bright, as together with the KL International Airport (KLIA), they both have the potential to provide a game-changing opportunity as hubs for Islamic connectivity for Europe and Asia Pacific. Currently Malaysia is the number one global Islamic economy for the fifth year running and KLIA is the preferred hub into Saudi Arabia for Indonesia’s 220 million population. Meanwhile, Turkey is among the world’s top three destinations for halal travel and ISGIA is able to provide direct access for Turkey’s 80 million population and the rest of Europe into Saudi Arabia. MAHB’s involvement in ISGIA started in 2008 when, together with its consortium partners, it was awarded the concession to operate the airport for 20 plus four years. By 2014, the airport operator acquired 100 per cent stake in ISGIA, making it one of the world’s largest airport operator group in terms of passenger numbers. In 2018, ISGIA was the second fastest growing airport in Europe within its category of above 30 mppa. It is currently the 12th busiest airport in Europe, surpassing Zurich, Manchester, Stansted, Dublin and Berlin. -- BERNAMA