Turkish Plans Call For New Black Sea-Reclaimed Airport

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced plans to build a new airport in the city of Trabzon, saying construction is expected to begin in 2026.

The facility will be built on land reclaimed from the Black Sea. It will become the country’s third sea-based airport, after Ordu-Giresun, off the coast of Gulyali, and Rize-Artvin, off the coast of Rize Province.

“I know that Trabzon Airport is struggling to meet current demand,” Erdoğan said during a ceremony inaugurating more than 130 new projects in the Black Sea province. He added that plans for the new airport would go to tender later this year and the government hopes “to start construction next year.”

Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said the new facility will have the capacity to handle 10 million passengers annually, featuring a 110,000 m² (1.2 million ft.2) terminal and 65,000 m² of space in support buildings.

Trabzon Airport handled 3.6 million passengers in 2024, up from 3.5 million the previous year. The airport currently has scheduled flights to 20 destinations, including nine domestic routes. However, capacity remains heavily focused on the domestic market, with 86% of all departure seats on services within Turkey, OAG Schedules Analyser data shows.

Pegasus Airlines is the largest carrier at Trabzon, accounting for 35% of total capacity, followed by Ajet with 32.4% and Turkish Airlines with 16.3%. Other operators include Azerbaijan Airlines, Flynas and SunExpress.

The planned new airport is expected to ease congestion and support growing tourism and trade in Turkey’s northeastern region. Trabzon has become a gateway for both domestic and international travelers, particularly from the Middle East, due to its Black Sea coastline and proximity to Georgia and the Caucasus.

Erdoğan said his government has “served Trabzon with passion, just as it has served all 80 provinces of Turkey,” adding that the new airport would enhance the province’s role as a transport and tourism hub.