Why You Might Fly Out Of Istanbul’s Secondary Airport

The vast majority of major European cities have more than one airport that serves as a gateway for international flights, and the city of Istanbul is no exception. While Istanbul Airport (IST) serves as the city’s principal international gateway and the hub for global legacy carrier Turkish Airlines, a second smaller but still important facility plays a key role in facilitating international air travel. While Istanbul Airport is located on the European side of the Bosphorus, north of the city, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is located on the Asian side of the narrow body of water, south of the city’s business district and core hubs.