Istanbul Airport, with its distinctive architecture, robust infrastructure, advanced technology, and exceptional travel experience, has made a strong impact on the global aviation landscape. As a result, it has been honored with the "5-Star Airport" award by Skytrax, a highly respected organization in the international arena. With the precautions implemented against COVID-19, Istanbul Airport has become one of only two airports globally to receive the '5-Star COVID-19 Airport' certification, in addition to its '5-Star Airport' rating.

Serving as Türkiye's gateway to the world, iGA Istanbul Airport continues to be the pride of Turkish aviation, with awards received worldwide. Istanbul Airport was recently honored with the 'Best Airport' award in the Digital Transformation category at the 16th ACI Europe Awards organized by Airports Council International (ACI), in recognition of its advanced digital infrastructure and cutting-edge technology.

Istanbul Airport has been certified as a '5-Star Airport' by the London-based aviation institute, Skytrax, founded in 1989, now joining an elite group of only eight global hub airports to have earned this prestigious title. Additionally, Istanbul Airport has been recognized as the fourth airport in the world to receive the prestigious '5-Star COVID-19 Airport' award, a rating given specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic, following Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Hamad International Airport in Doha, and El Dorado Airport in Bogota. Alongside these accomplishments, Istanbul Airport has earned the distinction of being the world's largest terminal with a '5-Star' rating.

Istanbul Airport, having been awarded the 'Airport Pandemic Certificate' by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and subsequently signing the 'COVID-19 Aviation Health Safety Protocol' published by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) prior to the Skytrax awards, also became the first airport in the world to achieve the 'Airport Health Accreditation' certificate presented by Airports Council International (ACI).

Istanbul Airport was successful in this evaluation, achieving a 5-Star rating!

Skytrax, an international air transport research agency, has been providing quality audits, star grading and quality comparison services for airports and airlines since 1989. Following extensive arrangements and meticulous preparation, accompanied by three days of rigorous physical audits, Istanbul Airport's exceptional passenger experience has been recognized with a 5-Star rating by an international organization. Boasting the largest terminal among 5-Star rated airports, Istanbul Airport has shown a remarkable and exceptional achievement.

While conducting a thorough assessment of Istanbul Airport, one of the premier aviation hubs renowned for its architecture and technology, auditors meticulously evaluated each touchpoint impacting the experiences of departure, transfer, and arrival passengers. These touchpoints include parking areas, public transport, website, mobile application, security/passport control, essential passenger services, shops, food and beverage areas, and baggage claim. The auditors carefully analyzed the services provided, noting their accessibility and overall passenger comfort. In addition to nearly 800 items that were carefully evaluated, the measures implemented against the pandemic were also subject to grading.

Throughout the audit, experts carefully examined each aspect influencing the travel experience, including primary processes such as security checks, check-in, passport control, customs, cleaning, baggage claim, as well as essential services, including catering areas, shopping areas, and lounges. Furthermore, the measures implemented during the pandemic were taken into account during the quality assessment. Istanbul Airport, having secured two significant awards following the extensive evaluations by Skytrax experts, demonstrates its commitment to excellence in the passenger experience.

"At Istanbul Airport, we turned dreams into reality, and reality into leadership!"

Kadri Samsunlu, the CEO and General Manager of iGA Airport Operations inc., commented on Istanbul Airport's presentation of two prestigious awards from world-renowned aviation assessment company, Skytrax, saying that, "For an airport to be certified as both a '5-Star Airport' and a '5-Star COVID-19 Airport' by an important aviation authority such as Skytrax, just two years after its inauguration, and a year and a half after commencing operations at full capacity, is a rare occasion." I can proudly say that we have accomplished this at iGA Istanbul Airport. We have cultivated a customer-centric culture at our airport, which we are committed to enhancing further, with our ongoing efforts progressing in this direction. We are the 8th global transfer hub airport to receive the prestigious 5-Star rating, after Doha, Hong Kong, Munich, Seoul Incheon, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo. We have also become the fourth airport in the world to be awarded the '5-Star COVID-19 Airport Rating', in recognition of the COVID-19 measures implemented at our airport. We hold the distinction of being the second airport in the world to hold both titles at the same time. In addition to its range of other features, Istanbul Airport boasts the largest terminal among all 5-star rated airports. Just prior to being awarded these prestigious awards presented by Skytrax, we were also selected as the 'Best Airport' in the Digital Transformation category, within the scope of the 16th ACI Europe Awards, organized by Airports Council International (ACI). These valuable and distinguished awards serve as proof of the confidence placed in iGA and Istanbul Airport by global aviation authorities and, most importantly, by the passengers at our airport. I would particularly like to highlight that those who firmly and courageously pursue their core values will ultimately achieve their goals. At Istanbul Airport, we at iGA have transformed dreams into reality, and now that reality into leadership! We are proud and happy on behalf of our country for having achieved such a success. I extend my gratitude to all those who have contributed to this achievement, especially our dedicated staff. Maintaining the same excitement and enthusiasm as we had on day one, we will continue our efforts to make our country, and Istanbul Airport, the world's foremost aviation hub," he said.

Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, remarked, "We are delighted to welcome Istanbul Airport into the prestigious ranks of 5-Star Airports. This acknowledgment is a well-deserved testament to the high standards upheld at iGA Airports, which are also showcased here. Istanbul Airport represents an exceptional engineering accomplishment, boasting a terminal with a capacity for 90 million passengers, completed in just three and a half years. This grand airport features an impressive array of passenger facilities, ensuring ease of access to various terminal areas. Today, Istanbul Airport has been awarded the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating. This rating acknowledges the extensive measures implemented by the airport to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, including comprehensive signage and passenger guidance, an increased number of hand sanitizer dispensers, proper disposal of personal protective equipment, social distancing adjustments, and a dedicated Biosafety Team to ensure adherence to these protocols.

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