Ankara : Istanbul’s new mega-airport is a “trademark project” of Turkey, Minister of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications Ahmet Arslan said Friday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Arslan said: “It is a prestigious project. It is true. At the same time, it is a trademark project for Turkey. At the same time, it is a project that will contribute both to Turkey’s employment and economy.”

Arslan’s remarks came a day after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s aircraft made the first ever landing at Istanbul’s new colossal airport, which is expected to formally open to air traffic on Oct. 29.

The minister said 225,000 people would work at the airport. About the name of the new airport, Arslan asked: “Why shouldn’t it be named after Recep Tayyip Erdogan?”, adding the name would be decided by the president himself.

Istanbul’s new airport will be one of three most prominent airports in the world with an annual capacity of 90 million passengers in the first phase.

The third airport in the city — 90 percent of which is already completed — will be the world’s most significant project built from scratch upon completion.

In the first phase, the airport will welcome 90 million passengers annually. In the second phase, which is expected to be completed in 2023, it is projected that the number would rise to 150-250 million.

—AG/UNA-OIC