Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech at an opening ceremony of Ankara Airport and its connection roads, in Ankara, Türkiye, on June 15, 2026. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
ANKARA, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday inaugurated a new airport in the capital Ankara and its connection roads ahead of the NATO summit scheduled to be held in July.
The airport, formerly known as Etimesgut Airport, was opened under the name Ankara Airport, becoming the city's second major aviation hub after Esenboga Airport.
At the opening ceremony, Erdogan said that the circulation of foreign delegations visiting Ankara is increasing.
Esenboga Airport, which served 3 million passengers annually 20 years ago, now serves approximately 15 million passengers annually, Erdogan said.
"We all know very well the traffic congestion caused by the increasing number of passengers, especially on the ring road and airport routes. With the commissioning of Ankara Airport, there will hopefully be a relief in both air and road traffic at Esenboga," he said.
Built in 1933 and served as a center for military aviation for many years, Ankara Airport has been renovated with upgraded facilities and will serve both domestic and international flights.
Erdogan said the airport's runway length has been increased from 2,450 meters to 3,000 meters and the runway width from 42 meters to 60 meters, adding that two turning bays totaling 15,000 square meters at the ends of the runways have been built.
Authorities said the airport will be heavily utilized during the NATO summit in Ankara, due to be held from July 7 to 8. ■
A Turkish Airlines passenger plane marks its debut landing in the newly-inaugurated Ankara Airport, in Ankara, Türkiye, on June 15, 2026. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
