Airport News
Zafer Airport, Turkey's newest international airport, has opened 18 months ahead of contract and six months ahead of the Turkish developer IC Ictas’s schedule.
Construction on the new international airport, which includes a Cat II code 4E 3,000m x 60m runway and a 20,000m² terminal building, began in May 2011 and Mott MacDonald acted as technical advisor. The airport was officially opened on 25 November 2012 by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan.
Mott MacDonald's project director Chris Chalk said, "20,000 people attended the airport opening, highlighting the regional support for Zafer’s development. The project has been developed by the private sector to deliver socio-economic benefits to the Western Anatolia region. The 18 months from ground breaking to opening are remarkable given the -20oC weather experienced at the time of roof erection.
"Close collaboration between all parties contributed to this being a success. There were no serious injuries during the one million staff hours worked during construction of the airport.
Mott MacDonald helped drive close community engagement creating opportunities for local employment. Post completion, 300 local jobs have been created which will rise to 700 by the middle of next year.”
Positioned in Western Anatolia and with a capacity of 1.5 million passengers annually, Zafer Airport is expected to provide a catalyst for development in the region and will provide better access for the 500,000 Turks from the region living overseas.
Scheduled flights have already commenced by Turkish Airlines to Istanbul Atatürk, with more routes opening before the end of the year.
