President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the opening ceremony of the newly constructed Çukurova International Airport (COV) in Mersin's Tarsus district, celebrating its potential to enhance regional development and international trade. In his speech, President Erdoğan emphasized that the new airport is more than just a passenger hub—it is a strategic asset poised to significantly boost the region's export capacity.
“Our airport will serve as a gateway for products from industrial and trade zones, such as Mersin Port, Mersin and Adana Organized Industrial Zones, Iskenderun Bay Industrial Facilities, and Yumurtalık Free Zone, to reach global markets," said President Erdoğan.
President Erdoğan further underscored the airport's vital role in improving logistics, supply chains, and economic activities by enabling faster delivery of goods and enhancing the competitiveness of local businesses.
Designed to serve a broad area, including Adana, Mersin, and the wider Mediterranean region, COV features state-of-the-art facilities. It boasts an annual passenger capacity of 9 million, a 110,000-square-meter terminal, and two runways, one of which can accommodate the world's largest passenger aircraft. Additionally, the airport is equipped with advanced infrastructure, including high-speed taxiways, expansive aprons for both general aviation and commercial flights, and extensive cargo handling facilities.
President Erdoğan praised the airport's architectural design, which integrates regional design elements with modern aesthetics and highlighted the importance of incorporating local features such as cotton and orange colors, which are emblematic of the region. President Erdoğan also noted that the construction was completed through a public-private partnership without any direct cost to the state budget, underscoring the efficiency and economic benefits of such projects.
The airport's strategic location, positioned between Adana and Mersin with easy access to major highways and planned integration with high-speed rail networks, makes it a pivotal hub for enhancing regional connectivity. “Our businesses and agricultural producers will now have direct access to international markets, reducing delays and minimizing the risk of spoilage for perishable goods," President Erdoğan reassured.
The construction of COV is projected to greatly benefit the region's economy, creating around 3,000 direct and indirect jobs while fostering growth in trade, tourism, and agricultural production.