2 weeks Ago By Tatenda Karuwa
Three Turkish Airlines aircraft took off simultaneously from Istanbul Airport (IST) on April 17, making it the first European airport to implement Triple Independent Runway Operations. The operation marked a new era in European aviation. Istanbul Airport remains one of the busiest and most connected airports in the world, and this development will strengthen its role as a global hub and reinforce Türkiye’s strategic position at the center of international air travel.
Triple Independent Runway operations will increase operational efficiency and help the airport meet its sustainability targets. Up, Up, Up and Away The launch of this new system saw three Turkish Airlines aircraft simultaneously taking off from three parallel runways under live operations. The project was initiated by the country’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadier Uraloglu, who was joined by airport and airline officials, including Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Ahmet Bolat.
As seen on Flightradar24 , all three flights, TK2014, TK1957, and TK6528, departed at 11:20 am local time. TK2014, operated by an A321neo, took off from runway 36 bound for Kayseri (Türkiye). TK1957, operated by an Airbus A350-900 , took off from runway 34L bound for Amsterdam (The Netherlands).
TK6528 was a cargo flight to Almaty (Kazakhstan), operated by a Boeing 777F, which took off from runway 35L. Speaking about the development, Abdulkadir Uraloglu said, “We are proud as Türkiye is the only country to implement this system in Europe. Now, Istanbul Airport has risen to the top tier of global aviation—not only with its traffic volume but also in terms of operational capacity and technical capability.
With this system, air traffic flow will accelerate, the dynamic capacity of our airport will significantly increase, and we will offer our passengers faster and safer service.” A new era for Istanbul Airport Given Türkiye’s strategic location at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, the Triple Independent Runway operations will elevate Istanbul’s role in global aviation logistics. The new system will increase the airport’s operational capacity from 120 to 148 aircraft movements per hour.
Turkish Airlines will experience shorter taxi times, fewer delays, and enhanced on-time performance. As a result, passengers will enjoy a smoother, faster, and more sustainable experience. The new system will also help reduce the ecosystem’s carbon footprint, aligning with the industry’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
The operation sets a new benchmark on a global scale, enhancing the efficiency of Istanbul’s airspace and Europe at large. Istanbul Airport plans to serve 200 million passengers annually once all stages of its development are complete. On-time departures and arrivals are among the core objectives of its strategy and a critical factor in enhancing financial efficiency.
According to OAG , Istanbul is the second-busiest airport in Europe and fifth in the world by the number of seats. The top five are as follows: Atlanta (ATL): 5.2 million seats Dubai (DXB): 5.
0 million seats Tokyo (HND): 4.6 million seats London (LHR): 4.4 million seats Istanbul (IST): 4.
2 million seats Peak summer flights have risen a considerable 55% compared to before the pandemic in 2019. Enhancing global connectivity With Turkish Airlines flying to the most countries , Istanbul Airport is one of the world’s most internationally connected hubs. Last year, Turkish Airlines was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the airline flying to the most countries after launching flights to Santiago, Chile—its 131st country in the world.
The airline continues to enhance its network through its hub at Istanbul Airport. Last year, Turkish airports welcomed 230.2 million passengers, a 7.
5% growth from the previous year. IST was the leading airport, welcoming 79.87 million passengers, which represents a 5% growth from 2023.
The hub saw 517,285 aircraft movements, with 117,764 domestic and 399,521 international. The number indicates the country’s growth as an aviation hub. Turkish Airlines operates over 1,000 daily flights from the airport, and with the new triple parallel takeoff system, the number of departures will only increase, enhancing punctuality and cost optimization.
Overall, the new capability supports the airline’s goals of seamless connectivity, superior service, and forward-looking infrastructure..
