Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (ISG) International Airport celebrated its 25th year with a ceremony attended by its staff.
ISG’s journey began in 2001 with 47,000 passengers and continued in 2025 with more than 48 million; over its quarter-century success story, the airport has welcomed a total of 460 million guests.
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (ISG) International Airport, Türkiye’s second-largest airport by passenger numbers and Europe’s ninth busiest, celebrated its 25th birthday with a ceremony held in the terminal. At the ceremony, attended by Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), Sabiha Gökçen’s terminal operator, together with ISG’s senior management and staff, a celebration cake was cut following the speeches.
Opened on 8 January 2001 and serving 47,000 passengers that year, the airport reached 48.4 million passengers in 2025. Over the past quarter-century, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport has welcomed a total of 460 million passengers.
Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), Sabiha Gökçen Airport’s terminal operator, said: “As an organisation that has accompanied Sabiha Gökçen Airport on its development journey from the very beginning, we take great pride in the extraordinary growth and rise it has achieved. As one of the world’s leading airport operators, MAHB regards Sabiha Gökçen as being of strategic importance. ISG is the most tangible expression of a strategic partnership between Malaysia and Türkiye built on mutual trust, shared goals and a long-term vision for growth. I offer my deepest gratitude for the trust and support we have been shown in Türkiye. Together, we are co-authoring one of the most dynamic success stories in global aviation of the past quarter-century, and I warmly congratulate everyone who has contributed to this journey.”
Kerem Maybek, Deputy General Manager for Commercial Affairs and Strategy at Sabiha Gökçen Airport, emphasised that significant progress had been made in turning the airport’s strong growth into sustainable growth. Underlining that ISG provides exemplary service in its “complementary” role as one of the largest “gateway” and “connection” points for Istanbul and Türkiye, Kerem Maybek said: “As a ‘fast, easy, budget-friendly and digital’ secondary airport, Sabiha Gökçen offers strategic value both to passengers and to the Turkish aviation sector. We grow by adding something new every year, and in 25 years we have come a very long way. We remember with respect and affection our colleagues who contributed along the way and are no longer with us. We thank everyone who has played a part in this success. Over the next 25 years, we will continue to work in harmony with our stakeholders to make the greatest possible contribution to our country and to offer our passengers the best travel experience.”
Known as “The City’s Airport” for its proximity to Istanbul and nearby destinations, and in demand as an ideal transfer point thanks to its road, sea and rail connections, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport links Istanbul to a total of 154 destinations in 54 countries: 39 domestic and 115 international.
