Istanbul Airport Launches Triple Runway Operations

‍DALLAS – Following the completion of the third runway, Istanbul Airport (IST) has made history in European aviation by announcing that it is the first airport on the continent with a fully operational triple runway. 

Triple independent runway operations allow three physically separate, parallel runways to be utilized simultaneously and independently for take‑offs and landings, significantly increasing an airport’s hourly movement capacity. Worldwide, more than 20 airports meet the strict lateral separation and approach requirements for these operations.

Officially opened on April 17, the ceremony featured the first command issued by Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, who ordered three Turkish Airlines planes to take off simultaneously from the airport. 

With the new runway setup, IST’s hourly aircraft movements go from 120 to 148, a 23% increase. This means less waiting time for aircraft, reduced delays for passengers, and significantly lower carbon emissions due to more efficient traffic flow. 

These solutions enable air traffic controllers to make quick, informed decisions and visualize flight patterns, thereby reducing the potential for conflicts, especially during periods of high congestion. Consequently, IST's enhanced capacity integrates seamlessly with the broader European air traffic system, thanks to EUROCONTROL coordination.

A Closer Look at Triple Independent Runway Operations

According to aviation safety standards, triple independent runway operations require three physically separate, parallel runways—each certified for independent instrument approaches and departures—to be used concurrently without procedural interdependencies. This demands:

1. Sufficient lateral spacing (e.g., ≥ 1,035 m under ICAO) between each centerline.
   
2. Independent instrument procedures on all runways, with no radar or wake‐vortex restrictions between adjacent operations.
   
3. Simultaneous support for both take‑offs and landings on each runway.

In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires at least 3,000 feet (≈ 910 meters) between runway centerlines for independent parallel approaches, although waivers can be granted under special procedures. Internationally, ICAO standards typically call for a separation of approximately 1,035 m (≈ 3,395 ft) for fully independent operations.

In Europe, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) possesses three parallel runways. Still, it has never operationally implemented a triple independent runway operations system as per the above definition.

Instead, AMS employs two runways for landings and dedicates the third solely to departures under a segregated mode. By contrast, IST launched a true triple independent runway operations system, becoming the first airport in Europe to conduct simultaneous independent take‑offs and landings on three runways.

Physical Runway Infrastructure at Schiphol

• Three parallel runways: AMS features runways 18R/36L (Polderbaan), 18C/36C (Zwanenburgbaan), and 18L/36R (Aalsmeerbaan) aligned north–south, each separated by more than the ICAO minimum for independent approaches.
  
• Landing/departure configurations: While Polderbaan and Zwanenburgbaan handle both arrivals and departures, the Aalsmeerbaan is configured for departures only in one direction (18L) and arrivals only in the opposite direction (36R), preventing it from supporting both instrument approaches and departures simultaneously.

Operational Constraints at Schiphol

• Segregated parallel operations: In standard operations, AMS uses two runways for independent landings and assigns the third exclusively for departures—a Mode 4 segregated approach and departure configuration under ICAO definitions, not a full triple independent system.
  
• Limited historical triple use: On 13 November 2012, Schiphol briefly ran runways 18R and 18C for landings and 18L for departures simultaneously; however, this was a mixed-mode operation, not a certified triple independent runway operations system.

A Major Upgrade for Istanbul Airport

The new triple runways system at IST is part of the introduction of the Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) system, which will enhance the predictability of flight operations and allow for better slot allocation through more efficient use of runway infrastructure. It achieves this by creating a shared information environment with stakeholders, including airlines, ground handlers, and air traffic control.

As reported by airportsinternational.com, in 2022, implementation began, and a comprehensive safety study, along with an airspace redesign, was conducted in consultation with the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMI), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM), Turkish Airlines (TK), EUROCONTROL, and other global aviation organizations. To prepare, 500 air traffic controllers underwent a total of 4,500 hours of training that simulated various scenarios specific to the new system.

This is partly due to the presence of state-of-the-art technologies at the airport, such as cutting-edge radar systems, real-time predictive analytics, and digital taxi time optimization tools. With this success, IST became the world’s first airport to initiate a triple runway operation, as well as Turkey's rising star in international aviation, and a leader in operational excellence.

Stay connected at every stop along your journey! Get any Saily mobile data plan at 5% off with the code AIRWAYSMAG5 + up to 5GB free!