Prospero

Information I've gleaned from MMB indicates BA will still be using Ataturk in November. In fact, at the moment the timetable is showing Ataturk right through to the end of August 2019, so I suspect there isn't a firm date yet for BA to move its operations over to the new IST airport, which is expected to open on 29 October 2018.

I have flights booked to IST for mid November, so I am curious as to which airport I'll be flying into.

ahmetdouas

Prospero

I found some more info in the Q&A section of ba.com which answers my question.

ahmetdouas

IAN-UK

I think the FAA, among possibly other US bodies, have some form of regulatory input before services can operate from an airport to the United States. Does the EU exercise the same prerogative?

If so, and given the airport is some way from being ready for use, there might have to be some pretty intense activity before the proposed change-over day.

For a whole album of photos, and wider discusion about the new airport, there's a pretty comprehensive thread in the TK forum.

Istanbul New Airport

lorcancoyle

ahmetdouas

The airport will be ready. They are working 24/7 in 3 shifts of 8 hours, Turkey has huge manpower capabilities. It will have the main terminal and 2 fully usable runways. The other runways will come later anyway, and have always planned to be that way. The road will be fine, and many people (myself included) take the shuttle bus to/from the airport when flying to Istanbul anyway. So, from the start, it will have more capaciity for flights, parked planes and passengers (the old IST runways could not always be used simultaneously as they were too close to each other or interfering with each other's flight paths, no such issue with the new airport).

Don't compare IST to Berlin or even Heathrow, there is less bureaucracy in Turkey for these things. No 10 year long public enquiries over there!

Prospero

That is a excellent thread, full of valuable insight. What makes it a little unclear are the progress shots; some of which show aspects of the construction which are realistically a good 6 to 12 months away from readiness, even taking into account fast track construction processes but perhaps these photos depict parts of the airport that are scheduled to open after the official opening date.

I think at this stage we can draw meaningful comparisons. The UK's planning process is often protracted but once the developments move into the construction stage, progress tends to be highly efficient. What I would expect to see is a building that is physically complete at around 6 months ahead of opening with final fit out work and commissioning works continuing until the building is finally ready for occupation.

sammyg901

Having been involved in new hotel projects for a number of years previously you would be surprised at how unfinished things seem up until the last minute - I used to be quite alarmed at points but it (almost) always came together

It does look pretty far from being operational though - considering the challenges BA had opening T5 in a pretty "big bang" style if you are travelling in the first few weeks I would expect some chaos personally. Flying through on 21st Dec so hopefully things are rather sorted by then

I hope the electronic restrictions are lifted with the move!

BERbound

I remember a trip to Berlin Tegel a few years ago when the BA captain proudly announced that from next week BA would be flying from the new Berlin Airport ) .....Still waiting

Globaliser

Other than that Hong Kong did it overnight, closing Kai Tak one evening and starting flights at Chek Lap Kok the next morning - not after two days of no flights!

ahmetdouas

The 2 days is for foreign airlines. TK will do it overnight, as in fly out of one airport, and fly in the other, or ferry depending on the situation. TK has a huge operation in Istanbul.

sammyg901

Various rumours around online that the airport is not ready and there will be an initial move of "non connecting" flights until December

I could well imagine BA being included in this as I presume their traffic is all O&D that end, but if its really not ready they may just have TK move a few flights for political reasons rather than force any of the commerical carriers over

If you are flying out over the next few months definately keep a close eye on arrangements !

WickedStepMother

craigthemif

BA may not have much of a say in the matter, but with practically no public transport links to the new airport, they'd be well advised to shift operations to SAW for a year or two... (if booted out of Ataturk)