Türkiye is set to construct its third airport built on the sea, this time in Trabzon, a city located on the northeastern coast along the Black Sea. Announced by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, the project marks a significant upgrade to Trabzon’s current airport—already ranked as the seventh busiest in the country.
Uraloğlu stated that the new airport will be built just north of the existing facility, extending over the Black Sea, and is aimed at meeting the region’s growing air travel demand. With 140 to 180 daily flights, the existing airport is already operating near capacity, signaling the need for a long-term, future-ready solution.
Türkiye’s Third Sea-Based Airport
The proposed airport will become Türkiye’s third offshore airport, following the Ordu-Giresun and Rize-Artvin airports, both of which were constructed on reclaimed land in the Black Sea. Uraloğlu noted the strategic importance of this new project, stating:
“We will build the new airport slightly north of our current one, making it Türkiye’s third airport on the sea.”
This ambitious plan aligns with Türkiye’s broader efforts to enhance aviation infrastructure, especially in geographically constrained regions like the Eastern Black Sea coast, where flat land is limited and construction options are complex.
A 175 Billion TL Investment Portfolio in Trabzon
During his presentation at the AK Party Trabzon Provincial Advisory Council Meeting, Uraloğlu revealed that 175 billion Turkish Lira has been invested in transport and communication projects in the Trabzon region.
Highlights include:
Divided highways expanded from 56 km to 265 km
Hot asphalt roads increased from 89 km to 554 km
These investments reflect a long-term strategic vision to position Trabzon as a central hub for both regional logistics and tourism.
Ongoing Road Projects and Strategic Connections
The Minister also provided updates on major ongoing infrastructure projects:
Southern Ring Road: Despite earlier criticism about symbolic groundbreakings, active tunneling and viaduct construction is underway in seven sections.
Kanuni Boulevard: The main axis has been completed, connecting to Değirmendere, with Çukurçayır-1 Tunnel currently under development.
Of-Çaykara Road: Largely completed, with a critical 2 km tunnel near Maçka easing industrial traffic congestion in the city.
Araklı-Dağbaşı Road: 10 km section awarded to contractors, with continued construction planned.
Yalıncak-Bulak-Çağlayan Road: Mainline completed, further work ongoing.
Additional updates include road completion percentages:
Düzköy–Tonya Road: 87% complete
Pulathane Boulevard: 80% complete
Akçaabat–Düzköy Road: 75% complete
These projects aim to significantly improve regional mobility and support both industrial growth and rural accessibility.
Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project Nears Completion
One of the most anticipated developments in Trabzon is the city’s first Light Rail Transit (LRT) system. Uraloğlu confirmed that the project design will be completed within the month, with proposals to include the system in the 2026 national investment program.
The initial phase will connect Akyazı Campus to Trabzon Airport, targeting high-traffic areas of the city. Once operational, the LRT is expected to relieve urban congestion, offer sustainable transit options, and integrate Trabzon’s transportation network.
Aviation Growth and Strategic Urban Planning
With the Trabzon Airport operating near full capacity and playing a key role in regional tourism, trade, and diaspora travel, the new offshore airport represents a critical investment in future-proofing.
Uraloğlu emphasized that Türkiye is not just responding to short-term demand but planning for long-term regional development. By expanding transportation infrastructure on both land and sea, the government aims to:
Strengthen Black Sea logistics corridors
Enhance accessibility and connectivity within the region
Position Trabzon as a modern gateway to the Caucasus and Central Asia
Trabzon’s Rise as a Strategic Infrastructure Hub
With more than 175 billion TL already invested, a third offshore airport in the works, and a comprehensive network of highways, tunnels, and rail lines under development, Trabzon is emerging as a central pillar of Türkiye’s infrastructure transformation.
The combination of aviation expansion, rail innovation, and highway connectivity offers a vision of Trabzon not just as a regional city, but as an internationally connected logistics and tourism hub.
