How will transit work for people connecting in Istanbul, if they arrive on the last day of operations at Ataturk Airport?
According to Do I need a Turkey transit visa for a layover?, one doesn't need a transit visa for Turkey if one isn't leaving the airside area of the airport.
Say that a citizen of a country that requires a visa to visit Turkey has a flight booked that arrives on the last day of operations at Ataturk Airport, and their connection thus leaves from the new Istanbul Airport. (This is a likely scenario, since Turkish Airlines' booking system conflates the two airports.)
Will a citizen of such a country require a transit visa for Turkey? Also, will checked baggage be transferred to the new airport, or will one have to claim it at Ataturk and transport it themselves to the new airport and recheck it?
Best Answer
There is an article (in Turkish) on BBC. It does not directly answer the question, but gives a hint. Since the transition has been postponed to March 2019, I will translate and summarize the initial plan (Day 1 was 29 December 2018) without using the exact dates.
Ataturk Airport
- Day 1: All airlines are fully operational.
- Day 2: Only Turkey based airlines fly for 16 hours, only Turkish Airlines next 8 hours.
- Day 3: No flight.
Istanbul Airport
- Day 1: Only some domestic flights, which were previously initiated by Turkish Airlines.
- Day 2: Same with Day 1.
- Day 3: No flight for 12 hours. Turkish Airlines starts after 12 PM, other airlines after 3 PM.
- Day 4: All airlines are fully operational.
We see that both airports are completely closed in the first half of Day 3. Turkish Airlines has a 12-hour gap, other Turkey based airlines 23-hour and others 39-hour.
If a passenger is flying without Turkish Airlines, the layover seems to exceed 24 hours. The passenger will need a transit visa.
Other passengers who have shorter layover time are in control of Turkish Airlines. The connections can be cancelled, because many flights will already be cancelled. Note that Turkish Airlines is not fully operational on Day 2 either, they will reduce the number of flights.
Pictures about "How will transit work for people connecting in Istanbul, if they arrive on the last day of operations at Ataturk Airport?"
Can we transit through Istanbul?
Indian nationals may please note that a valid visa for Turkey is required for transfer between Ataturk Airport, Istanbul and Sabiha G\xf6k\xe7en Airport, Istanbul during transit at Istanbul. Without a valid Turkish visa, travel from one airport to the other airport within Istanbul is not permitted.Do I have to go through security again for connecting flight in Istanbul?
In Turkey, as in most of the world, clearing immigration is not required for an international to international connection. The passenger can remain airside, and does not need to enter Turkey. HOWEVER, the transfer passenger may have to go through transfer security inspection.Can we transit through Turkey?
The electronic visa is available for Citizens from more than 100 countries to enter Turkey. You can obtain your visa through the Turkish travel visa online system. You need a valid passport, credit card, and email address to apply for your single- or multiple-transit visa.Can I leave the Ataturk airport during a long connection?
You can definitely leave the airport and see the city and enjoy yourself. In fact if both of your flights are with Turkish Airlines, then you can have either a free hotel (if you qualify with a "forced layover") or free guided tours, whichever is more convenient for you.NEW ISTANBUL AIRPORT Terminal tour, how to transfer and complete transit guide
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Whicdhemein One, Luis Quintero, ArtHouse Studio, ArtHouse Studio