Türkiye reopens Ankara Airport ahead of NATO summit

By Bosphorus News Geopolitics Desk



Türkiye is reopening the former Etimesgut Airport under the Ankara Airport name on June 15, adding a second aviation hub to the capital weeks before NATO leaders gather at the Beştepe Presidential Complex on July 7–8.

The upgraded facility will be inaugurated with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, after an eight-month modernization process that turned the former military airfield into an international airport capable of supporting high-level summit traffic.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said the project gives Ankara an additional aviation facility before the NATO summit, when heads of state, delegations and security teams are expected to place heavy pressure on the capital's existing airport network.

The airport upgrade included new turning pads at both runway ends, a 160,000-square-meter apron and parking capacity for around 44 aircraft at the same time. Turkish officials say the site is now able to receive wide-body aircraft and handle international flights.

The reopening gives Ankara a second controlled aviation point alongside Esenboğa Airport, which remains the capital's main civilian airport. Etimesgut Airport has also appeared in Turkish security planning for the summit, with airport routes, hotel areas, meeting venues and key transit corridors placed inside the capital's high-security map.

Anadolu Agency reported that wide security measures will be imposed around airports, accommodation zones, transport routes and summit venues during the NATO gathering. The agency also said Etimesgut Airport is expected to receive the aircraft of U.S. President Donald Trump and some other leaders.

The airport move comes as Türkiye prepares to host a NATO summit for the second time, after the 2004 Istanbul summit. NATO announced that the 2026 summit will take place on July 7–8 at the Beştepe Presidential Complex in Ankara.

The reopening adds a dedicated protocol and summit-traffic facility to Ankara’s aviation network as the capital prepares to manage leader arrivals, delegation movements and security controls during the July 7–8 NATO summit.

***Sources: NATO, Türkiye Directorate of Communications, Bosphorus News review and reporting.