Erdogan opens new Istanbul Airport, planned to be world's largest

President Arif Alvi and his wife attend inauguration

ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday opened Istanbul's new international airport, which his government says will eventually become the world's largest, with great fanfare.

"The new airport will be the pride of our country and an example to the world," Erdogan said at a lavish opening ceremony featuring several heads of state.

President Arif Alvi is also Istanbul on an invitation by Turkish President  Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He inaugurated Istanbul’s new international airport and held bilateral meetings with Erdogan and other leaders invited for the ceremony.

PHOTO: AFP

PHOTO: AFP

At the inauguration - which coincided with the 95th anniversary of modern Turkey's founding by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - Erdogan also revealed that the airport would be named 'Istanbul'.

"Istanbul is not only our biggest city but also the most valuable trademark of our country," he said.



Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine Erdogan do a symbolic check-in and take their tickets on the opening day of the Istanbul New Airport in Istanbul. PHOTO: AFP

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's pictures are seen during the opening ceremony of Istanbul's third airport, the Istanbul New Airport, in the Arnavutkoy district on the European side of Istanbul on October 29, 2018.PHOTO: AFP

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine Erdogan attend an inauguration ceremony on the opening day of the Istanbul New Airport in Istanbul. PHOTO: AFP

President Erdogan, his wife and other officials drive in a vehicle on the opening day of the Istanbul New Airport in Istanbul. PHOTO: AFP