Istanbul Atatürk Airport, located in Yesilkoy, Bakirkoy, Istanbul, Turkey, served as the main international airport for the city of Istanbul before it was replaced by the new Istanbul Airport. Atatürk Airport was named after Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first President of Turkey. The airport has played a crucial role in connecting Istanbul to the rest of the world and serving as a major gateway for both domestic and international flights.

The history of Istanbul Atatürk Airport dates back to the early 20th century. The first airfield in the area was built in 1912 as a military airbase during World War I. In 1915, the airfield was expanded and became known as Yesilkoy Airport. It was later used for civil aviation, and in 1933, it was officially opened to commercial flights. Over the years, the airport underwent various expansions and renovations to accommodate the increasing number of passengers and flights.

Atatürk Airport has played a crucial role in connecting Istanbul to the rest of the world. It served as the main international airport for Istanbul, handling millions of passengers and flights every year. The airport was a hub for several major airlines, including Turkish Airlines, which used it as its main base of operations. This made Atatürk Airport an important hub for connecting flights to Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world.

One of the most notable features of Istanbul Atatürk Airport was its modern and well-equipped facilities. The airport had multiple terminals, with Terminal 1 serving domestic flights and Terminal 2 serving international flights. The airport also had a cargo terminal, a general aviation terminal, and a VIP terminal for private aircraft. In addition to its terminals, the airport had various amenities for passengers, including shops, restaurants, lounges, and duty-free stores.

In terms of infrastructure, Istanbul Atatürk Airport was equipped with state-of-the-art technology and facilities to ensure the safety and efficiency of its operations. The airport had two parallel runways, both equipped with advanced navigation systems and lighting for landing and takeoff. It also had modern air traffic control systems to monitor and manage the flow of air traffic in and out of the airport.

Despite its modern facilities and services, Istanbul Atatürk Airport faced challenges in terms of capacity and congestion. The airport was operating near its capacity, with limited room for expansion due to its location in the densely populated city of Istanbul. As a result, the Turkish government decided to build a new airport to replace Atatürk Airport and meet the growing demand for air travel in Istanbul.

In 2018, Istanbul Atatürk Airport was officially closed to commercial flights, and all operations were transferred to the new Istanbul Airport. The closure marked the end of an era for Atatürk Airport, which had served as a vital transportation hub for Istanbul for many years. Despite its closure, Atatürk Airport will always be remembered as an important landmark in the history of aviation in Turkey.