Çukurova International Airport, built on an 800-hectare area to serve the Çukurova region, is opening on August 10. With an annual capacity of 8 million passengers, the airport will be able to accommodate the largest wide-body aircraft and will be inaugurated with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Hakan Sefa Çakır, President of the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated, 'We shouldn't just see the airport as a means of transporting passengers. Thanks to the airport, we will be able to transport products quickly on an international scale.'
The Çukurova International Airport, built on an 800-hectare area to serve the Çukurova region, is set to open on August 10. The airport, which can accommodate even the largest wide-body aircraft with an annual capacity of 8 million passengers, will be inaugurated with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Hakan Sefa Çakır, President of the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, remarked, 'We shouldn't see the airport as merely a means of passenger transportation. Thanks to the airport, we will be able to transport products quickly on an international scale.'
EXPECTED TO SIGNIFICANTLY BOOST EXPORTS AND SERVICES IN THE REGION
The Çukurova International Airport, expected to make a significant contribution to the country's exports and the service sector in the region where it has been constructed, will simultaneously serve both Adana and Mersin. This is important for a region that not only possesses fertile lands but also holds rich historical and cultural significance.
DIRECT AND INDIRECT EMPLOYMENT FOR 3,000 PEOPLE
The airport is expected to enable businesses in the region to transport goods more quickly and efficiently by air, facilitate the integration of local businesses into global supply chains, and help them access broader markets. By enhancing the export potential of regional businesses, the airport is expected to boost their competitiveness on the international stage. It is noted that the airport will contribute to the direct and indirect employment of 3,000 people, providing significant economic, commercial, and tourism benefits to Mersin, Adana, and surrounding provinces.
ACCOMMODATING THE LARGEST WIDE-BODY PASSENGER AIRCRAFT
With a main runway 3,500 meters long and 60 meters wide, built to Category 2 (CAT-II) standards, the airport will allow the landing and takeoff of even the largest wide-body passenger aircraft. The airport also features an emergency runway 3,500 meters long and 45 meters wide. The infrastructure project includes two high-speed taxiways, a terminal apron, a cargo apron, an apron for private aircraft, two ground service vehicle parking areas, security guard booths, and a perimeter security road.
'WE SHOULDN’T SEE THE AIRPORT AS MERELY A MEANS OF PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION'
Hakan Sefa Çakır, President of the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MTSO), expressed his best wishes for the Çukurova International Airport, which is set to open soon, noting that it is a significant investment that will benefit not only Mersin and Adana but also all the surrounding cities. He emphasized the importance of the airport in making Mersin and the surrounding region more accessible on a global scale, stating, 'Airports are very valuable as they enhance the global accessibility of cities like Mersin. We shouldn’t see the airport as merely a means of passenger transportation. When we consider airports in terms of their contribution to the sectoral development of the economy, this airport is a highly valuable investment. Yes, this airport will have a significant passenger capacity of 8 million passengers annually, but it will also become Turkey’s second-largest hub airport in terms of cargo capacity. A hub airport means an airport that directly benefits the economy. Our region is very strong in fresh fruits and vegetables, and this airport will allow us to transport perishable products and cut flowers internationally at a faster pace, offering a great advantage.'
'WE WILL CREATE A SIGNIFICANT TOURISM POTENTIAL'
Çakır also highlighted the importance of the airport for tourism, stating, 'Mersin has a high tourism potential. However, we haven’t fully captured this potential due to the importance of easy accessibility in tourism. But now, by engaging with airlines offering direct flights, we will create a significant tourism potential. As a region comprising Mersin, Adana, Antakya, and Cappadocia, we will likely transform into a regional power with sea, sun, nature, plateau, faith, and gastronomic tourism.'
'OUR COMPANIES CAN BECOME A GLOBAL FORCE'
Çakır emphasized that the Çukurova Region, including Adana and Mersin, has recently gained a significant advantage in producing value-added products in the industry, adding, 'Thanks to this airport, our companies can become a global force on an international scale. They can more easily sell their products, move more freely, and export more effectively. Additionally, the ease with which international companies can reach our region, relocate their headquarters here, and have better accessibility offers a great advantage in terms of industry.'
'MERSIN IS BECOMING AN IMPORTANT LOGISTICS CENTER FOR TURKEY'
Noting that Mersin has Turkey’s largest port, Çakır also mentioned that the city has the country’s second-largest truck fleet. He pointed out Mersin’s strong position in rail networks and continued, 'With the new Gaziantep-Adana-Mersin high-speed train line, we will further strengthen our position in rail networks. These projects will be completed soon. With the completion of our international airport, we will now have a complete logistics network encompassing sea, port, air, land, and rail. Mersin is becoming an important logistics center for Turkey, which is a strategic advantage for us. An alternative to the Marmara region is starting to emerge in the Çukurova and Central Anatolia Regions. This is an advantage for us. Moving forward, we need to secure more direct international flights. We need to ensure easier access to overseas destinations and properly plan the areas around the airport. By carefully planning residential areas, exhibition centers, and hotels, we need to transform the area into a well-developed international hub.'
Providing information about the airport, Çakır added, 'We are very excited and eagerly awaiting the opening. We would like to thank our President, our Minister of Transport, and everyone who contributed. I wish it to be beneficial and auspicious for our region, Mersin, Adana, and the entire hinterland.'"