Cukurova International Airport: New Horizons for Southeastern Turkey
The opening of Çukurova International Airport in Mersin, a district of Tarsus, marks a new stage in the development of southeastern Turkey. Located 48 km from Mersin, 34 km from Adana, and within 400 km of Alanya, the airport is set to become a key transportation hub for a region that has long lacked modern aviation infrastructure. The lack of an airport has seriously hampered the development of tourism, business, and investment in the region, hindering the ambitious project of transforming Mersin into a "second Antalya" on the coast.
Construction of the airport, which lasted nearly 13 years, was completed on August 10, 2024, replacing the old, overcrowded Adana Airport. Çukurova, Turkey's second-largest airport, is designed to handle up to 9 million passengers annually. Its 3,500-meter runway, meeting the highest international standards, can handle all types of aircraft.
The airport's modern infrastructure ensures a high level of passenger comfort. Since August 11, 2024, Aeroflot has operated flights to Çukurova (currently only from Moscow, but the flight geography will expand). Domestic flights connect the airport with all major Turkish cities: Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Izmir, Samsun, Bodrum, Bursa, Trabzon, and Van.
International flights cover key destinations: Moscow, Beirut, Ercan (TRNC), Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Hanover, Düsseldorf, London, Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt am Main, as well as seasonal and charter flights from various European cities and to the Middle East (Jeddah, Medina).
A well-developed transport network provides convenient connections to the airport. Bus routes operate to Mersin and Tarsus, Adana, Hatay (Antakya and Iskenderun), Osmaniye, and even Cappadocia (Nevsehir and Nigde). Passengers can also use taxis, transfers, or car rentals. A high-speed rail line is planned for the future, reducing travel time from nearby cities to 23 minutes. Çukurova Airport is more than just an airport; it is a symbol of the dynamic development of the entire region.
