USTDA Welcomes Turkish Stakeholders Building New Airport in Istanbul

(USTDA) Atlanta, Ga. – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency launched a five-day reverse trade mission (RTM) to further U.S. and Turkish commercial engagement in support of the development and operation of the new Istanbul airport. The RTM will connect the General Directorate of State Airports Authority of Turkey (DHMI) and IGA Havalimani Isletmesi A.S., the Turkish consortium that is constructing and will operate the airport, with U.S. best practices and technologies in airport construction, operations, security and management. The twelve executive delegates are traveling to Atlanta, Ga., Dallas, Texas and Chicago, Ill. to tour world-class airports and meet with leading U.S. companies.

In order to accommodate the expected continuation of passenger growth, the Turkish government is building a third and larger Istanbul airport. The new airport is designed to have an initial capacity of at least 70 million passengers and, when the final phase is constructed, a capacity of more than 150 million passengers per year. With flights to more than 350 destinations and the capacity to host 500 aircraft, global travel will change significantly with the development of this extraordinary undertaking. This mega project will also profoundly affect Turkey’s economy. By raising billions of dollars in annual revenue, the construction and operation of the new airport will further economic growth in Istanbul, which is projected to have the largest population of any European city by 2020.

USTDA fosters economic growth in partner countries, such as Turkey, by linking overseas project sponsors with U.S. businesses. USTDA’s programs have introduced innovative U.S. technologies that have been utilized to strengthen infrastructure capable of supporting vibrant, growing economies. The aviation sector is a pillar of USTDA’s program. Over the last ten years, USTDA has supported 160 global aviation activities that have built new or upgraded existing airports, enhanced airport safety and security, and modernized air traffic control systems.

Tomorrow, USTDA will host a Business Briefing that will allow U.S. firms to connect directly with the Turkish delegation at the World Trade Center in Atlanta. The World Trade Center and Invest Atlanta, the economic development authority in the Mayor’s Office, are partners under USTDA’s Making Global Local program. For more information and to register for the Business Briefing, please visit: http://www.ustda.gov/news/events/2015/MENAEE/New-Istanbul-Airport-BB.asp.