Gerald Ong, Sabiha Gökçen’s Director, Aviation Marketing Speaks of the Airport's Stunning Growth

anna.aero’s James Davis caught up with Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen’s Director of Aviation Marketing, Gerald Ong onstage at CONNECT 2020.

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport has surpassed all growth expectations in recent years. Initially forecast to reach 30 million passengers by 2030, Sabiha Gökçen hit 35.5 million in 2019, and is set to double in ten years. Pitching itself as Istanbul’s city airport, according to Ong, the airport now holds the title of Turkey’s top domestic airport.

Yet, the facility also has seen international success. With 40% of all traffic now international, the airport is now welcoming AnadoluJet as the latest player. The carrier – a Turkish Airlines subsidiary – has grown its domestic presence since its inception in 2008 and will now serve 16 countries overseas in S20. Ong explained that “we have been in conversations with AnadoluJet and Turkish Airlines for a number of years; but it was case of ensuring timing was right.

The next step for Sabiha Gökçen will be making sure infrastructure catches up with growth. Already recently voted world’s most efficient single-runway airport, a second runway will be online within a year, a new metro line reduce city centre journey times, and a new terminal will follow within 3-4 years.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------References: http://cdn1.pps-publications.com/anna-aero-dailies/connect/antalya-2020/departures-issue/22/index.html