Istanbul Ataturk International Airport (IST)
History, Facts and Overview

(Istanbul, Turkey)

Since the late 1990s, Istanbul Ataturk Airport has been privatised and Tepe-Akfen-Ventures (TAV) have operated the terminal buildings, investing in excess of $600 million, which has been used to modernise facilities, enlarge spaces, create further buildings and improve overall standards.

The recently constructed International Terminal was opened in 2001 and is particularly impressive, built to withstand even the most severe earthquakes and other natural disasters, and also terrorism threats and attacks. Now no longer being used for all traffic, the 1970s domestic terminal is rarely crowded and now feels considerably more spacious.


Istanbul Ataturk International Airport (IST) is officially named after the famous Turkish president and statesman Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and features exceptional passengers amenities.

Snack bars, cafés, 24-hour restaurants and bars provide sustenance, with the ever-popular Flags World of Food Restaurant being especially noteworthy and serving a range of both Turkish and international cuisine. A bazaar and duty-free outlets offer 24-hour shopping within the International Terminal of Istanbul Ataturk Airport, while other facilities include a 24-hour pharmacy, first-aid, CIP lounges, a children's play room and baby care rooms, and three large conference rooms (the Akfen, Ergokmen and Tepe halls).