Istanbul Opens Tender to Build World’s Largest Airport Reinforcing 2020 Bid

The tender to build the world’s largest airport in Istanbul has been officially opened as part of the city’s bid for the 2020 Olympic Games.

The move reinforces Istanbul 2020’s promise of quick, stuff comfortable and convenient transport solutions for all athletes, and the wider Olympic family, should Turkey have the be awarded its first ever Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.  

Organisers for the Istanbul 2020 team have said the airport will have six runways and an annual passenger capacity of 150 million by 2020.

The first phase of construction is due to be completed in just three and half years and is one of five major infrastructure projects taking place in the city as part of Turkey’s 2023 Master Plan – the nationwide programme of long-term development.

Hasan Arat, leader of the Istanbul 2020 bid, said: “The Istanbul 2020 team has continued to learn from our previous four bids; we have listened carefully to the Olympic family and we have extensively studied the successes of London 2012 and other host cities.

“We recognise that effective and efficient transport is critical for a successful Games – starting with a world class airport. The tender opening this week means that we have passed another milestone on our journey; we will continue to work hard to ensure that our ground-breaking transport initiatives will benefit Olympians, Paralympians and the wider Olympic family.

“Just as importantly, Istanbul 2020 would leave a valuable legacy for citizens and guests by making the city one of the most livable and accessible in the world.”

Istanbul 2020 aims to be an exceptional Games-time experience by fully drawing on the $1.5 billion average annual investment in transport infrastructure upgrades since 2005 and a further $15 billion to be spent on projects over the next three years.

IOC member and President of the NOC of Turkey, Ugur Erdener, commented: “As a President of an NOC and an International Federation, I am focused on the comfort and convenience of the athletes.

“I am more than confident that this carefully directed investment in Istanbul’s transport infrastructure will enhance our ability to deliver a technically outstanding Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.

“Our proposed four competition zones across two continents have been selected to highlight Istanbul’s unique location, bridging Europe and Asia, as well as to guarantee athletes an average travel time of just 16 minutes between our iconic venues.”

The winning tender for Istanbul’s third airport will be named in May.