Cappadocia Airport

Cappadocia Airport was constructed in the Tuzköy neighborhood of Gülşehir district in Nevşehir to provide air connectivity to Cappadocia, one of Türkiye's important tourism regions. The airport began operations in 1998 under the name Nevşehir-Tuzköy Airport and, following several name changes within time, adopted its current name Cappadocia Airport. This airport serves both domestic and international hat air traffic and makes a significant contribution to the tourism and economic development of the region.

History and Name Changes

The history of Cappadocia Airport includes several key milestones:

• 15 November 1998: The airport opened as Nevşehir-Tuzköy Airport.
• 17 December 1998: Following a decision by the Council of Ministers published in the Official Gazette, its name was changed to Nevşehir-Cappadocia Airport.
• 31 May 2015: Through a new Council of Ministers decision published in the Official Gazette, the airport’s name was officially changed to Cappadocia Airport as part of a reorganization.

These changes aimed to enhance the airport’s national and international recognition and to further support tourism in the region.

Geographical Location and Access

Cappadocia Airport is located 30 kilometers from the center of Nevşehir and 10 kilometers from the center of Gülşehir district. Access to the airport is provided via:

• Taxis,
• Private shuttle services,
• Car rental (Rent A Car) services.

The airport’s geographic coordinates are determined as 38°46'31''N - 34°31'36''E.

Technical Specifications

Cappadocia Airport is a civil airport operated by the DHMI (Directorate General of State Airports). Its key features include:

• ICAO Code: LTAZ
• IATA Code: NAV
• Runway Length: 3,000 meters x 45 meters (concrete surface)
• Apron Capacity: 5 aircraft (2 Airbus A310 and 3 Boeing 737-800)
• Terminal Capacity:
• • Domestic Flights: 1,500 m²
  • International Flights: 2,000 m²
• Total Area: 2,495,500 m²
• Parking Capacity: 400 vehicles
• Air Traffic Classification: Classified as a Category I (CAT-I) Airport by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The airport has infrastructure capable of operating on a 24-hour basis and is designed to accommodate both civil and military air traffic.

Environmental and Accessible Airport Initiatives

Cappadocia Airport participates in various projects based on the principles of an environmentally friendly and accessible airport:

• Green Airport Project: In 2014, the airport received the Green Establishment Certificate from the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM).
• Accessible Airport Project: In 2014, it was awarded the title of Accessible Airport and enhanced services for passengers with disabilities. Passengers with disabilities can travel under the same conditions as other passengers without any additional fees and can move comfortably throughout the airport thanks to its accessibility features.

Maintenance and Renovation Works

Through ongoing maintenance and expansion projects, Cappadocia Airport has increased its capacity:

• 2017 Maintenance and Repair Works: Following a six-month maintenance and renovation process, the airport reopened on 1 November 2017. During this period, the following works were carried out:
• • Apron expansion,
  • Replacement of asphalt surfaces,
  • Road network improvements,
  • Parking area enhancements.

These improvements enabled the airport to better prepare for the tourism season and ensured a safer transportation infrastructure for the region.

Contribution to Regional Tourism

Cappadocia is one of Türkiye’s most important tourism regions, and the airport serves as a critical access point that significantly increases visitor numbers. Cappadocia Airport:

• Experiences high flight traffic, especially during the tourism season.
• Is recognized as one of the primary entry points for both domestic and international tourists visiting the Cappadocia region.
• Provides air connectivity to Nevşehir and surrounding provinces, contributing to the region’s economic and tourist development.

Cappadocia Airport plays a vital role in the development of tourism in Nevşehir and its surrounding areas. Since its opening in 1998, the airport has evolved through name changes and modernization efforts into an internationally compliant, environmentally friendly and accessible facility. With its technical infrastructure, transportation options, and contributions to tourism, it continues to be one of the region’s most important transportation hubs.