Şanlıurfa GAP Airport

Şanlıurfa GAP Airport is an airport that began operations in 2007 as part of the transportation infrastructure of Southeastern Anatolia Region. With the longest runway in Türkiye, this airport serves as a key pillar for tourism and economic development in the region. The airport is open to both domestic and international hat flights and also provides cargo transportation services alongside passenger transport.

History and Opening Process

Construction of Şanlıurfa GAP Airport began in 1997 and was completed on 10 October 2007, after which commercial flights commenced. The airport was planned under the GAP Project to enhance the region’s export capacity and boost its tourism potential.

Following its opening, Turkish Airlines (THY) initiated daily flights between Istanbul and Şanlıurfa, and scheduled flights between Ankara and Şanlıurfa on specific days of the week. Istanbul flights were scheduled with departures at 12:20 and arrivals at 13:55 from Atatürk Airport.

Technical Specifications

Şanlıurfa GAP Airport features one of the longest runways built in Türkiye. The airport’s infrastructure is as follows:

• Runway Length: 4,000 metres (one of the longest runways in Türkiye)
• Runway Width: 45 metres
• Terminal Area: 12,000 m²
• Cargo Terminal: 3,820 m²
• Apron Capacity: 11 aircraft
• Passenger Capacity: 1.5 million passengers per year
• Coordinates: 37°2724"N, 38°5430"E
• Navigation Systems: VOR, DME, NDB and ILS navigation equipment.

Structural and Construction Details

Şanlıurfa GAP Airport is the first airport project in Türkiye to be constructed by a single contractor.

The construction details are as follows:

• Runway and Taxiway: 4,000 x 45 metre concrete runway, two taxiways measuring 2 x 400 x 24 metres
• Apron Area: 550 x 160 metres
• Parking Area: 23,000 m² (for vehicles), 3,500 m² (for truck parking)
• Air Traffic Control Tower: 43 metres high, fully steel-structured
• Perimeter Roads: 13,500 metres

Services and Infrastructure

Şanlıurfa GAP Airport was constructed in compliance with international aviation standards. Services provided for passengers and airline operators include:

• Domestic and International Terminals: Built to handle passenger traffic with a capacity of 1.5 million passengers per year.
• Cargo Transportation: Supports cargo operations to enhance the region’s export potential.
• Fuel Facilities: Modern facilities for aircraft refuelling.
• Customs and Security Unit: Dedicated areas for international passenger traffic and security services.

Flight Traffic and Airlines

Since its opening, the airport has significantly increased air traffic in the region. This growth is reflected in the following data:

• Total passenger traffic as of end of November 2018: 797,226 passengers
• Total passenger traffic as of end of November 2019: 670,443 passengers.

Initially, THY operated daily flights to Istanbul and scheduled flights to Ankara on specific weekdays. In the future, private airline operators are planned to join the service network.

Regional and Economic Contributions

The primary contributions of Şanlıurfa GAP Airport to the region include:

• Export Growth: Facilitates heavy cargo transport and increases the trade volume of Southeastern Anatolia.
• Tourism Potential: Promotes tourism by showcasing Şanlıurfa’s historical and cultural richness to the world.
• Transportation Accessibility: Provides fast and reliable transportation in areas where road travel is challenging.

Management and Operation

The airport is operated by the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMİ), the institution responsible for managing air traffic and operating airports across Türkiye. DHMİ, which provides services in accordance with international standards, continuously improves the airport’s development and infrastructure investments.

Şanlıurfa GAP Airport is one of the most important projects strengthening the transportation and trade infrastructure of Southeastern Anatolia. With its extensive runway length, modern infrastructure, and facilities meeting international standards, it has become a vital hub for both passenger and cargo transportation. In the coming years, the airport’s passenger capacity is expected to increase and new flight routes will be added, further accelerating the region’s economic and tourist development.