Turkish Airlines Launches Major Infrastructure Project at Istanbul Airport, Featuring New Data Center

Turkish Airlines Launches Major Infrastructure Project at Istanbul Airport, Featuring New Data Center

January 9, 2026

In a significant move to bolster its operational backbone and technological capabilities, Turkish Airlines has commenced construction on a major new development at Istanbul Airport. The project underscores the growing trend of major enterprises, particularly in the aviation and logistics sectors, investing in dedicated digital infrastructure to ensure resilience, security, and future growth.

The national flag carrier held a groundbreaking ceremony this week for a comprehensive development plan that includes eight new facilities. The centerpiece of this strategic investment, which exceeds TRY 100 billion (approximately $2.32 billion), is a new data center to be named the "Istanbul Data Center." While specific technical details regarding size and IT capacity remain undisclosed, the airline announced the facility is slated to become operational between 2027 and 2028.

Turkish Airlines stated the data center is designed to "form the digital backbone of operational continuity," and is expected to "elevate the company's technology capacity to a new level with its high-security infrastructure and advanced data management capabilities." The broader development package also includes a cargo center, a catering center, an engine maintenance facility, aircraft hangars, e-commerce buildings, and a crew terminal.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, framed the investment within the company's long-term vision. "In line with our 2033 targets, we are developing not only our fleet but also the robust infrastructure that will allow us to fully utilize this fleet," Bolat said. He added that the initiative "strengthens our global competitiveness and is concrete evidence of our vision to make Türkiye one of the world's foremost aviation hubs."

The development signals a deepening integration of core digital infrastructure within critical transportation hubs. For Turkish Airlines, the on-premises data center investment provides greater control over its vast data streams—from flight operations and logistics to passenger services—enhancing security and reducing latency. This project follows the airline's previous data center migration in 2016 and positions it to better handle increasing data volumes and advanced applications, including AI and real-time analytics, which are becoming essential for modern airline operations and customer experience.

Source: datacenterdynamics