Rize Artvin Airport

Rize-Artvin Airport is a project that serves as Türkiye’s second airport built on land reclamation, opening a vital air link to Black Sea Region. Construction began on 3 March 2017 and the airport was inaugurated on 14 May 2022 with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President İlham Aliyev. Built on a 3 million square meter area created by land reclamation, the airport features a 3000-meter-long runway, an apron with seven aircraft parking positions, and an annual passenger capacity of 3 million, making a significant contribution to the Black Sea region’s aviation infrastructure.

The airport is the second in Türkiye and Europe to be constructed on reclaimed land and the fifth worldwide to employ this technique. Completed using advanced engineering methods, the project aims to overcome the region’s challenging geography and enhance connectivity between Türkiye and countries along the Black Sea. Additionally, during construction, 100 million tons of stone were dumped to form the 2.8 million square meter reclamation area.

Rize-Artvin Airport, constructed on reclaimed land using advanced engineering solutions, possesses numerous aviation-specific features:

• Runway and Apron Area: The 3000-meter-long and 45-meter-wide runway is designed to accommodate large-bodied aircraft for takeoff and landing. The apron area provides seven aircraft parking positions.
• Terminal Building: The 32,000 square meter terminal building has been planned to offer passengers a comfortable travel experience.
• Total Covered Area: Including the terminal, support units, and other structures, the total covered area amounts to 47,000 square meters.
• Landscape Area: The 170,000 square meter landscape area features greenery designed in harmony with the local ecosystem.
• Tea Culture Theme: The terminal building is constructed with architecture reflecting the region’s cultural heritage. Notably, the control tower is designed in the shape of a traditional Rize tea glass and stands 36 meters tall. Additionally, the airport houses a Tea Museum that presents detailed information about the region’s tea production to visitors.
• Lighting System: A 100 percent LED lighting system has been implemented to ensure energy efficiency and create an environmentally conscious infrastructure.

Rize-Artvin Airport is strategically located to enhance the region’s economic and tourism potential. Its benefits include:

1. Regional Economy and Tourism: It boosts tourist and commercial activity in the Eastern Black Sea region, contributing significantly to the local economy. It particularly enhances the region’s appeal for nature tourism and highland tourism.
2. Logistics and Trade: It facilitates commercial transport between Türkiye and Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Central Asian countries, promoting economic cooperation.
3. Local Employment: The construction and operational phases of the airport have provided employment opportunities for numerous local workers.
4. Transportation Accessibility: It significantly reduces travel time compared to long road journeys, improving access for residents of Rize and Artvin to major cities.

Since its opening, Rize-Artvin Airport has become one of the region’s key transportation hubs. According to 2024 data from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure:

• Total Passenger Count: Since its opening in 2022, the airport has served 2.3 million passengers.
• Passenger Traffic in the First Eight Months of 2024: A total of 754,102 passengers were carried, including 737,160 on domestic routes and 16,942 on international routes.
• Aircraft Traffic: In the first eight months of 2024, a total of 5,073 flights were operated, comprising 4,901 domestic flights and 172 international flights.

These figures demonstrate continuous growth in passenger and flight traffic, confirming the airport’s ability to meet air travel demand in the region.

Shortly after its opening, Rize-Artvin Airport was officially designated as a permanent international gateway. This status supports the airport’s ambition to expand its international flight network and emerge as a regional hub. Special emphasis is placed on strengthening connections with Georgia, Azerbaijan, and other Asia countries.

In addition, the airport’s capacity is expected to be expanded in the future, with new destinations added to its flight network. Given its potential to contribute to the region’s tourism and commercial development, Rize-Artvin Airport holds significant promise as a key transportation center.

Rize-Artvin Airport is one of the major projects constructed using modern engineering techniques to strengthen Türkiye’s aviation infrastructure. Built on reclaimed land, this airport represents a major achievement in terms of tourism, trade, and regional development. With an annual passenger capacity of 3 million, it functions as a gateway to the Black Sea, supporting the local economy and serving as a strategic center for international flights.