This article summarizes reporting by Daily Sabah.

Ankara Esenboğa Airport Unveils $346 Million Expansion and New Runway

On Monday, officials in Türkiye inaugurated a major infrastructure expansion at Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB), marking a significant step in the capital’s aviation development. According to reporting by Daily Sabah, the project includes a new third runway, a modernized air traffic control tower, and upgraded cargo facilities. The expansion represents a total investment of €298 million (approximately $346 million).

The ceremony was attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, alongside executives from the airport operator, TAV Airports. The project aims to elevate Ankara’s status from a domestic connector to a competitive international hub, increasing the airport’s annual passenger capacity from 20 million to 30 million immediately.

This development is part of a broader strategic vision often referred to as the “Century of Türkiye,” which prioritizes logistics and infrastructure to support economic growth. By enhancing the capacity of the capital’s airport, officials aim to reduce reliance on Istanbul’s hubs for international connectivity.

Financial Model: Public-Private Partnership

A central theme of the inauguration was the financial structure of the expansion. President Erdoğan highlighted that the substantial investment was achieved without direct public spending. The project utilized a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, wherein TAV Airports, a member of Groupe ADP, financed the construction.

In addition to covering the construction costs, the concession agreement ensures significant revenue for the state. TAV Airports secured the operating rights for Esenboğa Airport from 2025 through 2050. As part of this agreement, the operator is committed to paying the state a total of €560 million (including VAT) in rent over the 25-year lease period.

“We have implemented yet another one of the most successful examples of the public-private partnership model… without a single penny coming out of our state’s coffers.”

, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (via Anadolu Agency)

Technical Specifications and Capacity Upgrades

The centerpiece of the expansion is the new third runway. According to technical data cited in the research reports, the runway measures 3,750 meters in length and 60 meters in width. Its construction allows Esenboğa Airport to operate with a parallel runway configuration, enabling simultaneous independent operations. This upgrade is expected to significantly increase the hourly aircraft traffic capacity, reducing delays and accommodating future demand.

Alongside the runway, a new air traffic control tower has been constructed. Standing 77 meters tall, the tower is equipped with modern digital aviation technologies designed to manage the complex flow of increased air traffic. The expansion also includes:

• Cargo Apron: An 85,000-square-meter area with capacity for six aircraft.
• Technical Block: A 13,500-square-meter facility supporting airport operations.
• Fire Safety: A new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) station.
• Total Paved Area: Approximately 945,000 square meters of new infrastructure, including taxiways and service roads.

AirPro News Analysis: Strategic Implications for Ankara

While Istanbul has long served as the primary global gateway for Türkiye, anchored by the massive Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), this expansion signals a shift in strategy for the capital. Historically, Ankara Esenboğa has functioned largely as a domestic hub, feeding traffic into Istanbul for long-haul connections.

The introduction of a third runway and the capacity jump to 30 million passengers suggests a push to attract more direct international routes. With traffic projections estimating 23.1 million passengers by 2035, the infrastructure is now built ahead of demand, a move that could incentivize international carriers to consider Ankara as a viable secondary entry point into the country.

Future Phases and Long-Term Vision

The current inauguration marks the completion of Phase 1 of the expansion plan. TAV Airports and government authorities have outlined a roadmap for future development based on traffic triggers. A second phase is projected for realization by 2040, or sooner if passenger demand dictates.

Phase 2 plans include an expansion of the terminal building by at least 40,000 square meters and an additional 58,000 square meters of apron space. These future works would push the airport’s capacity even higher, aligning with long-term projections of 31.5 million passengers by 2045.

“Our airport will represent the gateway of our capital to the world in a stronger and more modern way.”

, Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu (via Anadolu Agency)

The aggressive expansion of Türkiye’s aviation sector has seen the number of active airports rise from 26 in 2002 to 58 today, with a target of reaching 60 in the near future. This project reinforces the government’s commitment to maintaining a robust construction pipeline in the transport sector.

Sources

Sources: Daily Sabah, Anadolu Agency, TAV Airports Investor Relations

Air India and Saudia Finalize Strategic Codeshare Pact to Boost Connectivity

Air India and Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) have officially signed a codeshare agreement designed to enhance connectivity between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The agreement, signed on January 15, 2026, is set to become effective in February 2026. This partnership aims to streamline travel for passengers by integrating flight schedules and offering seamless transfers across both carriers’ networks.

According to the joint announcement, the collaboration will focus on capturing the growing “point-to-point” traffic between the two nations, serving both the massive Indian diaspora in the Kingdom and the rising number of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia. By aligning their networks, the two national carriers intend to offer a competitive alternative to indirect routes currently dominated by regional hubs.

Operational Details and Route Expansion

The core of the agreement allows passengers to book flights across both airlines on a single itinerary. This integration includes through-check-in for passengers and baggage to their final destination, eliminating the need to re-check luggage during transit.

Expanded Network Access

Under the terms of the codeshare, Air India will place its “AI” code on Saudia flights departing from Jeddah and Riyadh. This provides Air India customers with access to several domestic destinations within Saudi Arabia, including:

• Abha
• Dammam
• Gassim
• Gizan
• Madinah
• Taif

Conversely, Saudia will place its “SV” code on Air India flights operating from Delhi and Mumbai. This opens up connectivity for Saudia passengers to a wide array of Indian cities, such as Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, and Lucknow, among others.

Executive Commentary

Both airlines have framed this partnership as a critical step in their respective transformation strategies. Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India, emphasized the importance of the Saudi market.

“Saudi Arabia is one of our most important markets… facilitating easier travel for the diaspora and supporting the Kingdom’s tourism goals.”

— Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India

similarly, Saudia Director General Ibrahim Al-Omar described the deal as a strategic move to foster stronger bilateral ties, leveraging recent visa reforms that have made travel more accessible for Indian citizens.

Strategic Context: Vision 2030 and Diaspora Demand

The agreement aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which targets attracting 150 million tourists annually by the end of the decade. India represents a top source market for this initiative. By opening access to secondary Saudi cities like AlUla (via Medina) and Abha, the carriers hope to distribute tourism traffic beyond the traditional hubs of Riyadh and Jeddah.

Furthermore, the partnership directly addresses the needs of the “Visiting Friends and Relatives” (VFR) segment. With over 2.6 million Indians residing in Saudi Arabia, the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom, there is substantial demand for reliable connectivity to Tier-2 and Tier-3 Indian cities.

AirPro News analysis

Countering the Super-Connectors

We view this agreement as a necessary consolidation of strength between the two national carriers to reclaim market share from Gulf “super-connectors” like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad. Historically, a significant portion of traffic between India and Saudi Arabia has flowed through hubs in Dubai and Doha. By coordinating schedules and offering direct “point-to-point” options, Air India and Saudia are positioning themselves to capture higher-yield traffic that prefers non-stop convenience over transit hubs.

Navigating Competitive Pressures

The deal also serves as a defensive measure against aggressive low-cost expansion. IndiGo has recently intensified its operations, launching daily flights from major Indian hubs to Jeddah. As a price leader, IndiGo dominates the cost-conscious labor traffic segment. By partnering, Air India and Saudia can better compete for premium and business travelers while utilizing their bilateral capacity entitlements, capped at approximately 50,000 seats per week since 2019, more efficiently without immediate fleet expansion.

Sources

• Air India & Saudia Press Release
• CAPA – Centre for Aviation
• OAG Schedules Analyser

This article is based on an official press release from Changi Airport Group.

Singapore Changi Airport Launches Autonomous Baggage Fleet to Boost Airside Resilience

Changi Airport Group (CAG) has officially launched its first fleet of fully driverless autonomous baggage tractors, marking a significant step in the aviation hub’s transition toward automated airside operations. The initiative, announced on January 20, 2026, aims to address persistent manpower shortages while enhancing operational efficiency across the airport’s terminals.

The initial deployment features two autonomous units operating on a live 7-kilometer route between Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 4 (T4). According to the announcement, this specific route was selected because the baggage handling systems of the two terminals are not physically connected, requiring external transport solutions. The launch follows nearly a year of rigorous testing, during which the vehicles completed over 5,000 trips and covered 20,000 kilometers without a single safety incident.

This development is part of Changi’s broader “Airside of the Future” roadmap, a strategic effort to redesign airport jobs and maintain service levels despite a tightening labor market in Singapore.

Operational Capabilities and Technology

The new fleet utilizes electric-blue autonomous tractors manufactured by Uisee, a Chinese autonomous driving technology company. These vehicles are designed to navigate the complex, dynamic environment of a live airfield without human intervention.

According to technical specifications released by CAG, the tractors are equipped with a suite of over 10 sensors, including LiDAR and visual cameras. This sensor array allows the vehicles to detect obstacles and navigate safely in various lighting and weather conditions, including heavy rain, a critical requirement for tropical operations.

In terms of capacity, each tractor can tow up to four baggage containers with a combined weight of approximately 10 tonnes. While the vehicles operate autonomously, they remain under the supervision of a “human-in-the-loop.” A remote operator monitors the fleet from a central control center and can intervene immediately if a tractor encounters a situation it cannot resolve independently.

“The autonomous baggage tractors can help us enhance worker safety, reduce worker workload and improve baggage handling productivity… [It] signals Singapore’s commitment to pioneering smart Airports technologies.”

Ms. Sun Xueling, Senior Minister of State for Transport

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Strategic Expansion and Workforce Impact

While the current rollout involves two units, CAG has outlined an aggressive expansion plan. Later in 2026, six additional autonomous tractors are scheduled for deployment at Terminal 2 (T2) to manage baggage transport between handling areas and aircraft stands. By 2027, the fleet is projected to grow to 24 vehicles.

The project is a collaborative effort between CAG and SATS, the airport’s primary ground handler, with co-funding provided by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). A primary driver for this automation is the need to redesign traditional airside roles. The shift allows existing tractor drivers to be upskilled into remote operator positions, moving staff from physically demanding outdoor environments to climate-controlled indoor monitoring roles.

Kuah Boon Kiam, Senior Vice President of Apron Services at SATS, emphasized the operational benefits in a statement:

“The collaboration will translate into more reliable baggage handling and smoother aircraft turnarounds, supporting on-time departures and a seamless airport experience.”

Kuah Boon Kiam, SVP Apron Services, SATS

AirPro News Analysis: The Automation Imperative

The deployment at Changi Airport reflects a wider trend among major Asia-Pacific aviation hubs, where aging populations are forcing operators to accelerate automation. Unlike European or North American hubs often focused on cost reduction, airports like Changi and Hong Kong International Airport (which also utilizes Uisee technology) are automating primarily to secure operational continuity.

By 2027, CAG estimates the ratio of manually driven tractors to autonomous models will be approximately 75:1. While this indicates that human drivers will remain essential in the medium term, the infrastructure being built today, specifically the remote monitoring protocols, lays the groundwork for a predominantly autonomous airside environment in the next decade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who manufactures the autonomous tractors used at Changi?
The tractors are manufactured by Uisee, a technology company specializing in autonomous driving solutions.

Are the tractors completely unsupervised?
No. While they drive autonomously, they are monitored remotely by human operators who can take control if necessary.

What is the timeline for expansion?
Following the January 2026 launch, six more units will deploy at Terminal 2 later in the year, with a target of 24 operational units by 2027.

Does this replace human jobs?
The initiative is framed as a job redesign. Existing drivers are being upskilled to become remote operators, addressing the difficulty of hiring for outdoor manual labor.

Sources

• Changi Airport Group