The Gazipaşa Airport connects Alanya with the world

The Gazipaşa Airport, where TAV for the first time takes on the operation of not only the terminal but the whole airport, promises a brand new future for Gazipaşa, Alanya and the Eastern Mediterranean. Thanks to their natural and historical value as well as their enlightened people, they deserve to become a new tourist center of the Mediterranean. The Gazipaşa Airport is preparing to welcome international passenger planes and to connect Alanya with the world.

“GAZIPAŞA IS A FUTURE STAR” Alaaddin Yüksel, Governor of Antalya, asserted that the east and west of Antalya need new airports. In addition to the Gazipaşa Airport to be opened east of Antalya, they also aim to open an airport between Demre and Kaş, to the west. Pointing out that he sees Gazipaşa as the focal point east of Antalya, Yüksel said that the inauguration of this airport will quickly be followed by an inrush of investment into the area. “Only last night 35,000 tourists landed at Antalya Airport. The region needs more airports. Gazipaşa Airport, which we are opening east of Antalya, had a runway of 1,700 meters that is going to be increased to 2,500 meters. I see Gazipaşa as a future star and the center of this region. That is why I suggest that locals do not sell even an inch of land; because we believe that in five years’ time Gazipaşa will be invaded by investors. Gazipaşa is very important for us. But an airport definitely needs to be built also to the west of Antalya. Geographical conditions may be difficult there, but nowadays technology can move mountains. We aim to build an airport between Demre and Kaş as well.” During his visit to Gazipaşa last month, Governor Yüksel was briefed on the current state of the airport by TAV Airports Holding Operations Director Murat Örnekol and TAV Gazipaşa Operations Coordinator Cengiz Aşıklı. Örnekol, who said that the Gazipaşa Airport already had all the statuses necessary for an international airport--that the only thing needed for large airplanes to land here was for the runway to be increased to at least 2,500 meters--pointed out that they were going to make use of the experience they have gained around the world to make Gazipaşa into a fully operating airport. Örnekol also said that the annual passenger capacity for the terminal building has reached 500,000. Governor Yüksel, who examined the plan for the Gazipaşa Airport project, said that they were ready to fulfill their responsibilities so that the airport could be inaugurated and that it should become fully operational as soon as possible. ALAADDİN YÜKSEL Governor of Antalya

Antalya Governor Alaaddin Yüksel’s inspection visit on 20 August 2009 to the Gazipaşa Airport created excitement and pleasure among the people of Alanya and Gazipaşa

“We are not after the clients of other airports. We have our own client potential.” HASAN SİPAHİOĞLU / Mayor of Alanya “The number of foreign tourists who came to Alanya in 2008 via tour operators was 1,924,106. The capabilities of our current facilities are simply not up to the task of meeting or increasing this potential. We are not after the clients of other airports. Our own client potential has been an indicator of this need for a very long time. Alanya is much in demand in the Scandinavian and Baltic market. Foreigners have purchased 17,000 properties in Alanya. When you multiply this by two, it means 34,000 people. Many of these people continue living here year round. When transportation is facilitated via Gazipaşa Airport there will be an increase in the number of incoming tourists as well. Our only expectation is for 150-180 seat Boeing 737-800 airplanes to land here. The opening of the Gazipaşa Airport will also raise the subject of cargo transportation and this will make a great contribution to the marketing abroad of products such as bananas, off-season vegetables, strawberries, cherries and citruses. Domestic flights can provide great support for tourism in Anatolia. And then there is the fact that Alanya hosts the World Championship in Beach Volleyball. Then there are the mountain bike races. A minimum of 2-3,000 athletes participate in each of these sports activities. In one year we welcome a total of 25,000 local and foreign athletes. The Gazipaşa Airport is a necessity also from the point of view of these activities.

“The county of Gazipaşa is a member of the Union of Historical Towns. The potential arising from our natural and archaeological wealth will emerge thanks to the Gazipaşa Airport.” CEMBURAK ÖZGENÇ Mayor of Gazipaşa “We believe that thanks to the international airport, Gazipaşa, member of the Union of Historical Towns, will rapidly make a name for itself,making a great contribution to the region. The rate of university graduates in Gazipaşa is very high. We achieve significant rates of success in entrance exams for science high schools and Anatolian high schools. We are about to complete the construction of a Vocational High School. We have plans to open a university as well. We believe that thanks to its natural and archaeological wealth this region will also provide momentum for tourism in Turkey. We have been striving since 2004 to open the Gazipaşa Airport. At that time the rumor had spread that because of the mountains at the northeast end of the airport airplanes would not be able to land here and a search began for a new place. But we have proven through a report prepared by Istanbul Technical University’s Aeronautics and Astronautics Faculty that airplanes are able to land here.”

HIGH INTERNATIONAL POTENTIAL

The Gazipaşa Airport, one of eleven constructed by TAV and of four operated within Turkey, has been developed on the concept of a boutique airport. Gazipaşa stands out as a special and different airport, one which will bring in relatively small returns but which will be effective through planned business and passenger services. Moreover, the region enjoys tremendous international potential. Since road transport in the region takes a long time, before the Gazipaşa Airport was built it was difficult to realize this potential. The construction of the airport will facilitate transportation to other parts of the region and shorten travel periods. Members of the agriculture and property sectors, trades people and tourism industrialists in and around Gazipaşa and Alanya are also anxiously waiting for the airport to fully come into service.

AN AIRPORT FOR CHARTER PLANES

However, for the Gazipaşa Airport to provide service on full capacity the land acquisition process needs to be completed and the runway needs to be extended by 700 meters, to reach a total of 2,500 meters. It is only then that Gazipaşa Airport will become a 3C category airport where 180 seat charter planes can land.

“The Gazipaşa Airport is the first complete airport operation taken on by TAV in Turkey” MURAT ÖRNEKOL TAV Airports Holding Operations Director “The Gazipaşa Airport is of special importance for TAV. First of all, this is the first complete airport operation we have taken on in Turkey. All of our previous operations were limited to terminal buildings. Here, for the first time, we are responsible for the operation of the whole airport. Of course air traffic control, as in the rest of Turkey, is the responsibility of the State Airport Authority. Secondly, this is our first project that fits into our boutique airport concept. Here we are going to get the opportunity to welcome low cost airline companies with whom we have not collaborated much until now. Gazipaşa is an airport where people will be able to move rapidly. We are even thinking of practical solutions such as seating people who overflow from the airport in a food and beverage venue to be called “Under the Pergola.” Another important fact is that this is an airport with what seems like unlimited development opportunities. We will be able to expand the runway both lengthwise and width wise, as well as the terminal and side buildings. Following land acquisitions, this is an airport that we will easily be able to expand, develop and use to provide service on an international basis. Moreover, all service units included under the TAV umbrella will be located here too.”

"Gazipaşa is a very important county with a tourist potential of its own. We believe that we will put this potential to good use thanks to our people, who have high levels of education.”
ZEKİ AYDIN
Mayor of Kahyalar

From the Trade Ships of Antiquity to International Passenger Airplanes A SHORT JOURNEY INTO HISTORY, FROM SELINUS TO GAZIPAŞA Human settlements in the region around Gazipaşa are known to date back to the 2000s BC. The Luwis, a branch of the Hittites, lived in an area that was known as “Kizzuvatna” (Çukurova) and “Arzava" (the Antalya area), which included Gazipaşa. A port city called Selinus was founded around 628 BC in Cilicia, on the two shores of the Hacımusa (Kestros) Stream and it developed relations with Cyprus, Egypt and other commercial centers in the Mediterranean. Following devastating raids by the Persians throughout Anatolia, Selinus fell under Persian domination, which continued until Alexander the Great defeated the Persians and chased them out of Anatolia. Situated on the western border of Cilicia, Selinus’ fate depended on that of nearby Alanya and for a time it came under the domination of pirates. In 65 BC an army headed by the Roman commander Pompey liberated the region from pirates and Selinus became a small Roman settlement. When Rome began to lose power in the 6th century the city came under the control of the Byzantine Empire. In the Seljuk period, Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat I (1220-1237) conquered Alanya, Gazipaşa and the surrounding area. During this time Selinus came to be known as “Selinti.” During the Ottoman period, Gedik Ahmet Pasha, commander of the navy for Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, conquered Alanya in 1470 and Selinti, Anamur and Silifke in 1472, from the Karamanoğlu Principality. During the War of Independence, the people of Selinti (Gazipaşa) stood by the forces of Mustafa Kemal. Following the declaration of the Republic, on 21 October 1922 the town became a province with a decree issued by the council of ministers and it was named “Gazipaşa,” after Mustafa Kemal Pasha’s title.

FULL SUPPORT FROM GOVERNOR YÜKSEL

Antalya Governor Alaaddin Yüksel’s inspection visit on 20 August 2009 to Gazipaşa Airport created excitement and pleasure among the people of Alanya and Gazipaşa. Governor Yüksel, who said that he considered Gazipaşa a future star and the center of the region, stated that they would provide all possible support for the airport to fully come into service.

TAV Airports Holding Operations Director Murat Örnekol provided Governor Yüksel with information regarding developments during his visit. Stating that they have been talking to the Ministry of Transportation and the State Airport Authorities regarding extension of the runway by at least 700 meters, Örnekol said that following a second stage of land acquisition they will be able to draw a security line 75 meters long on both sides of the runway without having to do adjust its length and width. Pointing out that although the land acquisition is carried out by the state, its cost is covered by TAV Airports, Örnekol emphasized that the runway, which currently stands at 1825 metres, can be extended as much as needed by taking the road to Mersin underground via a steel box tunnel. After having been provided with this information, Governor Yüksel stated that if TAV Airports reached an agreement with the State Airport Authorities work on the highway could begin immediately. Governor Yüksel also instructed the relevant unit heads to deal with the transportation elsewhere of wells belonging to the State Hydraulic Works and electricity poles currently on the land to be acquired.

THE REGION WILL RECEIVE AN ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL BOOST

When the Gazipaşa Airport fully opens to air traffic, it will be of crucial importance for the region. Alanya, which can be reached in 2.5 hours by road from Antalya, is anxiously waiting for the airport to come into service in order to revive its tourism and economy. Anamur, which has remained largely untouched until now, also expects a boost. And it seems clear that the approximately 30,000 foreign inhabitants living in and around Alanya will provide more than enough of the passenger traffic needed for the airport.

BANANA EXPORTS ARE EXPECTED TO PICK UP

Gazipaşa will provide the region with a great deal of added value from the point of view not only of tourism but also of agriculture and economy. In Turkey, the very valuable banana crop is grown only around Alanya, Gazipaşa and Anamur. The opening of the airport will bring about a boost in the agricultural and commercial ties of about 700,000 people with foreign countries.

WORK HAS BEGUN ON A HIGHWAY AND A MARINA

The transportation network necessary for Gazipaşa to become a center is being completed. Work has begun on the highway between Gazipaşa and Anamur. The Karaman area will be reached via a highway with tunnels. Additionally, the construction of the marina, needed for an increase of sea traffic at Gazipaşa, has also been completed and its operation tender has been carried out. Many tourists reaching Gazipaşa by air will be able to go on yacht trips in the Mediterranean from here.

“Safe and rapid transportation has become the main objective of the tourism industry.” GÜLÇİN GÜNER ALTID, Chairman “Alanya was the first destination to launch tourist activities via “boarding houses” in the 1960s. Nowadays it has a capacity of 150,000 beds and welcomes 2 million tourists a year. The changes undergone by tourism all over the world and in Turkey over the last few years, such as visitor movements, marketing styles, infrastructure problems (roads, etc.) and last minute sales have had a negative effect on tourism in Alanya. Visitors who wish to come to Alanya have to travel 120 km by road after having arrived at the airport. A double lane road to be built in coordination with the Gazipaşa Airport will facilitate transportation and will result in an increase in the number of visitors. If infrastructure work is completed, it is clear that the Gazipaşa Airport will result in higher visitor numbers not only for Alanya but also for Gazipaşa and the area lying to the east. Our sector stands by TAV Airports, who will operate the Gazipaşa Airport, a project of such great importance for us.”

PROMOTION WORK

This year the Municipality of Alanya plans to participate in 24 international fairs and to promote the Alanya brand with the slogan “Now Alanya is closer to you.” Hasan Sipahioğlu, Mayor of Alanya, states that they have recently begun work in this area and that they are open to a variety of collaborations with TAV Airports. Pointing out that they are expecting the Alanya Castle to be included in the World Cultural Heritage list in 2009, Sipahioğlu said that when this happens the UNESCO logo can start to be used. “Alanya is a sister city with cities in Latvia and Lithuania. We therefore have many cooperation agreements with them. We can take advantage of this cooperation in the promotion of the city and get more tourists from that region. We believe that the opening of the Gazipaşa Airport will bring about a new period in tourism for Alanya in 2010.”

“This airport remained unfinished for 20 years: We are proud to have completed its construction and obtained its license nine months from the end of the planning period.” CENGİZ AŞIKLI TAV Gazipaşa Operations Coordinator “Having worked in the Antalya Airport, I can easily say that Antalya passengers are very different from potential Gazipaşa passengers. Our foreign neighbors living in the Alanya region have a great need for air transportation. To a great degree, Gazipaşa will serve our foreign friends who spend the major part of the year here. When we look at the situation here, we see that there are a large number of foreigners from Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Poland and Scandinavian countries who have bought property here. When considered together with their relatives this means about half a million people. Moreover the coastal strip extending all the way to Anamur--currently untouched--will create its own clients. This airport remained unfinished for 20 years: We are proud to have completed its construction and obtained its license in such a short period, nine months from the end of the planning period. As we don’t have any air traffic at present we are providing service with a limited number of staff. Everyone is dealing with everything, not hesitating to take on new responsibilities. Although we don’t have air traffic yet, we already have firemen among our staff. Our security staff is also complete. In this cosy environment we have because of the small size of our airport, we are working hard to fulfill our responsibilities as members of TAV. All we want is to be able to provide the region with the service it deserves.”

“Once the technical details of the Gazipaşa Airport are complete we expect a boom in demand.” MURAT ŞEN TAV Gazipaşa Deputy Operations Coordinator (Operational) “There is great interest in the Gazipaşa Airport. We have been talking to all the tourism establishments and hotels in the area. There are many hotels between Alanya and Gazipaşa and between Alanya and Side. While carrying out these analyses in cooperation with the Holding’s Business Development Unit, we are also benefitting from the experience of the airports we operate in Turkey and abroad. We have also been talking to tour operators and airline companies. And we have been in close contact with the ALTID-Alanya Tourism Establishments Association. Once the technical details of the Gazipaşa Airport are complete we expect a boom in demand.”

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT FOR THE REGION

The population of Gazipaşa is very well-educated (the literacy rate is 100%) and young people are basing their future plans on the Gazipaşa Airport. TAV Airports has already begun to create employment in the region by recruiting security personnel and firemen. Moreover, it is also providing the Gazipaşa Municipality with support such as computer donations, for local schools and for the university to be founded. In short, Gazipaşa and TAV Airports means “a future” for locals.

The TAV team at the Gazipaşa Airport is also enthusiastically looking forward to the day when the airport will fully come into service. Following a tiring period of construction, the team, who love Alanya and Gazipaşa, have set up all systems and completed their final preparations. They passed their first test successfully when TAV Holding CEO Sani Şener and his entourage landed successfully at the airport on 13 July 2009. The team, which always feels the pride of being part of the TAV family, continues to work with dedication to carry Gazipaşa toward a brighter future.

“The Gazipaşa Airport was built as a boutique airport that reflects the colors and lines of TAV; without deviating from the general concept established by the State Airport Authority. However, this airport has the capacity to rapidly surpass the boundaries of a boutique airport and grow into a conventional airport. TAV is rapidly implementing decisions; this new airport witnesses new developments every day.” MERT KÖKTÜRK TAV Gazipaşa Project Architect

While the pioneers of the Gazipaşa project at TAV fulfill their duty with great enthusiasm and dedication, they benefit from TAV Airports’ experiences in Turkey and abroad. They are happy to be part of this great synergy.

I AM PROUD TO BE AMONG THE PIONEERS OF GAZIPAŞA: I have been working at TAV since 2005. I have worked as Assistant to the Deputy Chairman of TAV and as Assistant to the Holding Human Resources Director. Before coming to Gazipaşa I worked in operations for a year and a half. I found it very exciting that Gazipaşa should be a new project. I have been here since February 2009. The terminal has emerged as the result of the extraordinary efforts of the team. I believe that the Gazipaşa Airport has a brilliant future and that the corporate aspect of TAV Airports will be adopted by the whole region. We have before us a great future in Gazipaşa. I am proud to be among the pioneers of Gazipaşa. Our airport will mean that a new sun will rise on the Mediterranean. I would also like to point out that the people of Gazipaşa are very enlightened and that its youth are very open to education. I believe that together with the TAV Academy we can obtain effective results.”

GAZIPAŞA IS READY TO OPERATE: My first encounter with the TAV Group took place in 2006, during the construction of the Esenboğa Airport. I have been working in the Electrical-Electronic Systems Department at Esenboğa Airport since 2007. In March 2009 I was appointed as Technical Manager at the Gazipaşa Airport. At first we set up all the necessary systems, including electrical and electronic systems. We have also activated systems that were built previously but left idle. Gazipaşa Airport, including the majority of its navigation systems, is now ready to operate. The Airport is different from other projects. Here we are operating not only the terminal but also the airport, going into areas, such as the apron, the runway, the tower, where we previously had little experience. My team--which includes engineers and technicians transferred from Esenboğa--and I are very excited about this project.

WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE SECURITY: I am a retired police officer. I worked for 15 years in the Alanya Anti-Terror Branch. I chose TAV so that I could transfer the experience I acquired during my work with the state to airport security. I started to work in February 2008. At that time our team here consisted of only our Project Manager Kemal Yener, who passed away a short time ago, our building site manager and I. 5 May 2008, when work began with 20-30 construction vehicles and 120 workers, seems like yesterday. That’s how far we have come. I started to work in conjunction with three people who had civil aviation experience at the Esenboğa Airport. Other people were recruited later and we are now a team of 15, including a chief of security, a computer operator and 13 security personnel.

GAZIPAŞA WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND DEVELOP: I have been working at the Gazipaşa Airport since May 2008. I am currently the only member of staff in this department. I met with the TAV Group thanks to the Gazipaşa project and I am now a member of the TAV family. I witnessed the construction stage of the project. I believe that this project will be a continuing one and that the Gazipaşa Airport will develop together with the region. As a new member of TAV I feel I have become part of a real family. Like all other members of the TAV family, I am looking forward to the opening of the Gazipaşa Airport.