Istanbul Airport has been honored at the 2021 Air Transport Awards, an annual event hosted by Air Transport News. This organization engages with frequent travelers, gathering their insights on travel and accommodation experiences, as well as their opinions on airports worldwide. At the award ceremony where Istanbul was chosen as the 'Airport of the Year', Qatar Airways was honored with the 'Airline Company of the Year' award. ACI World Director General, Luis Felipe de Oliviera, was presented with the 'Leader of the Year' award. The award was presented to Ismail Hakki Polat, iGA Airport Chief Planning Officer, at the Summer Aviation Forum held in Athens, Greece on September 3, 2021.

The winners of the competition, which, in the past, included Singapore Changi, Doha, Dubai, Lisbon, and Geneva airports, are determined by more than 4,000 readers and leading executives in the aviation industry.

The 2021 Air Transport Awards are organized annually in collaboration with Hermes - Air Transport Organization, ATN (Air Transport News), and ALA (America Latina Aeronoticias). Board members include leading organizations in the aviation industry, such as Airports Council International (ACI), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Determined by a diverse panel of experts and readers, the Air Transport Awards is the only international award in the world that evaluates and rewards 14 different categories in the aviation industry.

"Istanbul Airport has outperformed other airports around the world."

Ismail Hakki Polat, iGA Airport Deputy Chief Planning Officer, commented on Istanbul Airport's presentation of the 'Airport of the Year' award at the 2021 Air Transport Awards, saying, "We managed to continue our operations without disruption, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. We continued our investments without interruption and collaborated with new airlines. The international certificates and awards we have received serve as tangible evidence of our success. We are honored to have received yet another esteemed international award. We are honored to receive the 'Airport of the Year' award at the 2021 Air Transport Awards, as determined by aviation industry experts and readers. Last year, this award was presented to Geneva Airport. Istanbul Airport's triumph as this year's winner, outperforming many global airports, is a robust testament to our exceptional performance in the industry. As Türkiye's premier global gateway, Istanbul Airport is poised to receive numerous awards in the coming years due to its unparalleled travel experience and exceptional service approach."

Dr. Kostas Iatrou, General Director and CEO of Air Transport News, extended his congratulations to the winners, saying, These organizations have successfully navigated the worst crisis the aviation industry has ever faced. Amidst these challenging times, achieving success has become increasingly vital and even more difficult than before. Hence, these institutions have proven their outstanding leadership capabilities beyond any doubt. iGA Istanbul Airport was the first airport in the world to take part in ACI's Airport Health Accreditation program in 2020 and the first airport to be reaccredited in 2021, by demonstrating its exemplary leadership among its peers."