Turkish Airlines—originally scheduled to move from its Istanbul Ataturk hub to Istanbul New Airport (INA) by the end of the year—has postponed the change until March 2019, according to local media reports.
INA, which had a “soft opening” Oct. 29, was to have what was dubbed a “big bang” launch Dec. 31 following the relocation of Turkish Airlines operations. However, airline and INA officials decided to postpone the move until March, Turkey’s Demirören Haber Ajansi (DHA) news agency reported Dec. 18.
Airline and INA officials did not respond to a request for comments from ATW.
Turkish Airlines serves seven domestic destinations and one international destination (Baku, Azerbaijan) from the new airport.
INA’s initial capacity will be 90 million passengers annually, with the potential to grow to 200 million through a series of expansions by 2030. The first phase of the airport was completed in 42 months and includes a 1.3 million sq m terminal and two runways.

In September, hundreds of INA construction workers went on strike to protest what they said were poor labor conditions. Turkish authorities launched a crackdown, arresting 500 people, union representatives said. Amnesty International said workers complained of inhumane working and living conditions at the site and a lack of workplace safety, as well as delays in receiving their salaries.