Airport Overview 

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is one of two international airports serving Istanbul, the largest city in Türkiye. It is located on the Asian side of the city and serves as a hub for AnadoluJet and Pegasus Airlines.  

One of the major bottlenecks at SAW is the access to and from the airport, which relies mainly on road transportation. The airport is connected to the city center by buses, taxis, and private shuttles, but there is no metro or rail service available yet. This can cause delays and frustration for travelers, especially during peak hours or bad weather. 

Another issue that affects the airport's operations and customers is the security risk posed by terrorist attacks. In 2015, a bomb exploded in the apron area of the airport, killing one cleaner and injuring another. The airport has since increased its security measures, but this also means longer waiting times and stricter controls for passengers and staff. 

 

Airport Location and Contact
Country	Türkiye
Province or District	Pendik
Nearest Town or City   with Distance from Airport	Pendik (12 km)  Istanbul (45 km)
Airport’s Complete Name	Celebi
Latitude	21.1532° N
Longitude	94.1539° E
Elevation (ft and m)	312 ft / 95 m
IATA Code	SAW
ICAO Code	LTFJ
Managing Company or Airport Authority	HEAŞ (Airport Management & Aeronautical Industries Inc)
Management Contact Person
Open From (hours)	24 hours
Open To (hours)	24 hours

Airport Picture 

Description and Contacts of Key Companies 

For more information on airport contacts, please see the following link: 4.5 Airport Companies Contact List. 

Information on some aviation service providers can be found at: http://www.azfreight.com/  

Sabiha International Airport, located in Istanbul, Türkiye, serves as a major hub for both domestic and international flights. Several key companies play vital roles in ensuring the smooth operation of the airport and providing essential services to passengers and airlines. 

Sabiha International Airport in Istanbul, Türkiye, boasts a robust cargo operation facilitated by key companies responsible for various duties within its premises. One of these prominent players is Turkish Cargo, the national air cargo carrier of Türkiye. Turkish Cargo operates a state-of-the-art cargo terminal, handling the logistics, transportation, and customs clearance of a wide array of goods. Their extensive network and fleet ensure efficient and timely delivery of cargo worldwide. 

Additionally, DHL Express, a global logistics leader, has a significant presence at Sabiha International Airport. DHL operates its state-of-the-art facility within the airport, enabling swift and reliable international shipping services. Their expansive network connects businesses and individuals across the globe, providing efficient door-to-door delivery solutions. 

These key companies, Turkish Cargo, Celebi Ground Handling, and DHL Express, work cohesively to ensure the smooth functioning of cargo operations at Sabiha International Airport. Their specialized services and commitment to excellence contribute to the airport's reputation as a vital logistics hub, supporting local and international trade. 

Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator 

Performance for 2022 

	Per Year	Per Month	Per Day
Total Aircraft Movements	200,233	16,686.08	556.20
Total Passengers	30,780,357	2,561,487.83	85,382.93
Total Capacity of the Airport (MT)
Current Activity of the Airport (MT)	44,954	3,746.14	125
Current use by Humanitarian Flights (UNHAS)	No

 

Runways 

Runway #1
Runway Dimensions	3000 (m) X 45 (m)
Orientation	06L/24R
Surface	Concrete

 

Runway #2
Runway Dimensions	3500 (m) X Width (m)
Orientation	06R/24L
Surface	Under construction

 

Airport Infrastructure Details 

Customs	Yes	JET A-1 fuel	Yes
Immigration	Yes	AVGAS 100	No
Terminal Building	Yes	Single Point Refueling	Yes
Passenger Terminal	Yes	Air Starter Units	Yes
Cargo terminal	Yes	Ground Power (mobile)	Yes
Pax Transport to Airfield	Yes	Ground Handling Services	Yes
Control Tower	Yes	Latrine Servicing	Yes
Weather Facilities	Yes	Fire Fighting Category (ICAO)	Yes
Catering Services	Yes	De-icing Equipment	Yes
Base Operating Room	Yes	Parking Ramp Lighting	Yes
Airport Radar	Yes	Approach & Runway Lights	Yes
NDB	Yes	VOR	Yes
ILS	Yes

 

Airport Operating Details 

Operating Details
Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Bulk Cargo
Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Pallet
Total Aircraft Parking Area (m²)
Storage Area (m3 and MT)	90,000 tonnes
Handling Equipment
Elevators / Hi Loaders	Yes	Max Capacity (MT)
		Max Height  (m)
Loading Ramps	Yes
Other Comments

 

Customs Guidance 

For more information on customs in Türkiye, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information.   

 

Storage Facilities 

 

Airfield Costs 

NAVIGATION CHARGES 

Charges	Aircraft Weight - MTOW (kg)
	0 - 7,000	7,001 - 136,000	136,001 and over
Navigation (per journey) USD - $
Landing USD - $	Between 8.94 and 9.92 euros / tonne	Between 8.94 and 9.92 euros / tonne	Between 8.94 and 9.92 euros / tonne
Night Landing USD - $	Same as above – additional lighting charges may apply.	Same as above – additional lighting charges may apply.	Same as above – additional lighting charges may apply.
Night Take-Off USD - $	Same as above – additional lighting charges may apply.	Same as above – additional lighting charges may apply.	Same as above – additional lighting charges may apply.
Parking	3.06 (euro/tonne – 24 hours)	3.06 (euro/tonne – 24 hours)	3.06 (euro/tonne – 24 hours)
Handling Charges

https://www.dhmi.gov.tr/Sayfalar/UcretTarifeleri.aspx 

 

FUEL SERVICES CHARGES 

	Price per Litre USD - $
Jet A-1	$0.547
Avgas	N/A

 

CARGO TERMINAL CHARGES 

Import Charges
Type of Charge	Rate USD - $ per kg	Comments
Handling Charge
Break Bulk Fee
Diplomatic Mail
Strong Room – per consignment
Cold Storage Fee
Delivery Outside Normal Working Hours
Preparation of substitute AOA – Invoice – Receipt
Storage per Day
Handling Charges – Un-palletized Cargo
International Air Waybill
Local Air Waybill
Air Way Bill Amendment - Cancellation
Air Way Bill Documentation
Diplomatic Mail
Storage Charges per Day

AIR-BRIDGE CHARGES 

The duration for passenger boarding bridge service begins with aircraft parking and ends with push-back from the bridge. The maximum duration for passenger boarding bridge service is 2 hours. When this duration is exceeded, the charge will be increased by 25% per each half an hour. 

The charge for passenger boarding bridge is calculated on half-hour charge basis per half an hour as specified in the chart. If the duration is less than half an hour, half an hour is charged. If the duration exceeds an hour, no charge is applied to first 15 minutes after an hour. 

The charges are not implemented for: 

Aircraft carrying aid material and personnel for Search and Rescue, natural disasters, and humanitarian aid. 

Aircraft carrying Heads of States on their official visits. 

Aircraft belonging to national public state entities and organizations (except the aircraft belonging to universities and aircraft used within the scope of service procurement contracts of public state entities and organizations). 

Foreign military aircraft on condition of reciprocity. 

Aircraft declared as exempt from the charges by Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. 

Passenger Boarding Bridge fare to any aircraft that could not take off due to meteorological conditions or in case the RWYs are closed to air traffic for a duration exceeding 2 hours. 

For the exceeding period if the aircraft exceeds the waiting duration of 2 hours as connected to the passenger boarding bridge having accomplished all procedures and asked for take-off permission to start the engines but granted no permission by the ATC Tower in return. 

Security 

The security of the airport is ensured by Police and DHMI Security for the purposes of National Civil Aviation Security Programme. All implementations about security are implemented as part of the Private Security Law 5188.