MAHB plans to create airport cities

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), the owner of Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (ISG), has announced plans to become a global leader in creating airport cities.

Managing Director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said becoming a global leader in creating airport cities would take the group to the next level, in line with evolution and airport trends worldwide.

"ISG, with a unique location among most developed cities in Turkey bearing huge growth potential, continues to be a key asset for our international expansion strategy.

"With support from our recent and upcoming investments, we expect ISG to not only contribute to the group's sustainability, but also create further value for the Turkish economy, and increase its international appeal," he said in a statement here today.

MAHB said there was a need to shift to a more global perspective to create bigger opportunities for ISG, and this entailed changes in all its business segments to ensure ISG would continue to thrive and compete internationally.

"We believe that ISG, a key asset in Turkish economy, bears great potential. Among others, its strategic location linking Asia and Europe enabled transit of some 30 million passengers in 2016.

"Moreover, the airport expanded its connectivity within Europe, the Middle Eastern and African regions, welcoming new airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, and Nile Air, as well as new destinations launched by Turkish Airlines and Pegasus," said Badlisham.

He said the group planned to invest further to increase ISG's current capacity by building a new boarding hall to cater for the growing domestic traffic.

With support from the rapidly improving connectivity to and around ISG and its second runway, targeted for completion in 2018, we expect the airport to double its airside capacity, he added. - BERNAMA