My anecdotal experience says that for an international flight departing IST it was not the case at least in mid-February, and then same flight in early April had it. I don't remember what was the cutoff time on the pass, but I do remember having to wait for about 20 mintues after coming to the gate roughly 50 minutes before departure.

Either way it is unreasonable that you are expected to be present in front of the gate one hour before departure.