TAV set to extend Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport concession to 2050
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TAV Airports is set to operate Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport until at least 2050 after its €475 million plus VAT bid to extend its current concession by another 25 years was accepted by Turkey’s State Airports Authority (DHMİ).
The decision, which is pending official approval, means that the global airport operator no longer faces having to walk away from Esenboğa when its current concession runs out in 2025.
TAV Airports CEO, Serkan Kaptan, said “We have been successfully operating Ankara Esenboğa, the gateway to the Turkish capital, since 2006.
“The terminal, which we built back then, reflects the ambitions and the modern face of the Republic. During this period, we have quadrupled the passenger traffic in Ankara, and worked towards increasing direct flights in collaboration with our stakeholders.
“In addition to being the political centre of the country, Ankara is a touristic hotspot with a rich history and a hub connecting eastern Anatolia. Today we reiterate our commitment to the development of the aviation industry in Turkey.”
The first phase of the investment consists of adding a new runway, a new traffic control tower and cargo facilities, will begin in 2023 and be completed in 36 months.
The second phase includes terminal extension and will be realised until 2040 depending on traffic increase. Additionally, TAV plans to build a solar energy farm with a capacity of 5 MW, in accordance with its sustainability commitments.
The total investment will be around €300 million – €210 million in the first phase and €90 million in the second phase.
Esenboğa Airport handled 7.9 million passengers in the first 11 months of 2022, which is an improvement on the previous 12 months, but still down on the gateway’s pre-pandemic high of 13.7 million in 2019.