Istanbul Airport (IST/LTFM) Operational Guide

Istanbul Airport (IST/LTFM) is Istanbul’s principal international airport and the primary airport for scheduled international passenger operations in the city. ASM coordinates Istanbul flight support through its 24/7 desk, covering permits, slots or PPR where applicable, ground handling, parking, Jet A-1 fuel, CIQ and crew logistics.

Information reviewed: 9 September 2026. Confirm the current Türkiye AIP, NOTAMs, airport procedures and supplier acceptance before operation.

Istanbul Airport identity and planning profile

Istanbul Airport is located on the European side of Istanbul and uses IATA code IST and ICAO code LTFM. It replaced Istanbul Atatürk Airport as the city’s main scheduled passenger gateway, with commercial passenger operations transferred to IST in April 2019.

For business and charter movements, the practical planning question is which handling, parking, passenger-processing, fuel and border arrangements have been accepted for the aircraft and schedule. Istanbul’s airport choice should be assessed against the passenger destination, aircraft, operating permissions, ground time and required services.

IST/LTFM operational facts

Operational item	Planning reference
Airport	Istanbul Airport
IATA / ICAO	IST / LTFM
Location	European side of Istanbul, Türkiye
Primary role	International scheduled, cargo, business, government and non-scheduled aviation
Core confirmations	Permit, slot or airport coordination, handling, parking, fuel and CIQ as applicable
Operational check	Current AIP, NOTAMs, authority approval, airport acceptance and supplier confirmation

What should operators confirm before an Istanbul operation?

Confirm the aircraft, operator status, flight purpose, routing, UTC schedule, passenger and crew totals, parking requirement and handling scope before committing the movement. Slots, permits, airport acceptance, parking and handling are separate operational controls.

ASM’s flight support desk coordinates the regulatory, airport and supplier workstreams as one plan.

Turkish permits, slots and PPR at IST

The approval path depends on operator status, aircraft, flight purpose, traffic rights and route. State, diplomatic, cargo or other specialised missions may require additional documentation or coordination.

Slots, PPR and landing permission are separate concepts. Confirm which controls apply to the individual IST movement and proposed UTC schedule. ASM’s flight permit team coordinates submissions while the relevant authorities and airport retain approval.

Ground handling, FBO and parking at IST

Confirm the accepted business aviation or handling provider, passenger and crew processing point, ramp services, baggage, equipment, catering, transport and special assistance for the aircraft and schedule.

Parking should be requested separately and should state whether the aircraft will turn, remain overnight or reposition. Do not assume that airport or landing acceptance automatically includes parking.

Customs, immigration and quarantine at IST

CIQ processing depends on the accepted arrival and departure arrangement and passenger, crew and cargo documentation. Provide complete information early so the handler can confirm the applicable processing point and requirements.

Jet A-1 fuel and turnaround planning at IST

Send the aircraft registration, type, ETA and ETD, requested fuel grade, estimated quantity and release or billing details. Reconfirm the uplift when routing, payload or schedule changes.

ASM’s aviation fuel services coordinate supplier acceptance and delivery timing with the local handler. General fuel availability is not an uplift confirmation.

Operating restrictions and NOTAM checks at IST

Check the current Türkiye AIP, NOTAMs and airport instructions for the planned aircraft and date. Runway availability, temporary restrictions, construction, weather, noise procedures, airspace measures and airport operating requirements can affect the usable schedule.

ASM aligns these checks with permits, slots or PPR, parking, handling, fuel, CIQ and crew arrangements. Final operating permissions and airport acceptance remain subject to the relevant authorities and providers.

Crew logistics and schedule changes

Plan accommodation and transport around crew duty, reporting time and the confirmed airport arrangement. A revised arrival or departure can require parking, handling, fuel, CIQ and local transport to be reconfirmed.

IST versus Istanbul’s other airports

Istanbul Airport (IST/LTFM) is the main scheduled international gateway. Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW/LTFJ) serves the Asian side of Istanbul and may be relevant depending on the passenger destination, aircraft and operational requirements. Istanbul Atatürk Airport (ISL/LTBA) should not be presented as a normal substitute for either airport; its former scheduled passenger role transferred to IST in 2019.

ASM can assess the airport choice as part of the wider flight-support plan rather than selecting an airport on city-centre distance alone.

What information should operators send ASM?

Provide the operator name, aircraft type and registration, MTOW, complete routing, ETA and ETD in UTC, purpose of flight, passenger and crew totals, ground time, requested fuel, handling scope, parking requirement and any cargo or special-service details. Include operator certificates and insurance documents when applicable.

Frequently asked questions

Is Istanbul Atatürk Airport still the main airport for Istanbul?

No. Scheduled passenger operations transferred to Istanbul Airport (IST/LTFM) in April 2019. Any LTBA movement must be assessed against its current permitted role and acceptance.

Does IST require a landing permit?

Requirements depend on the operator, aircraft, route, traffic rights and purpose. ASM reviews the movement and coordinates applicable submissions while approval remains with the relevant authority.

Are slots or PPR required at IST?

The applicable airport and slot controls depend on the operation and requested schedule. Confirm the current AIP, NOTAMs and airport instructions before finalising the movement.

Can ASM coordinate ground handling at IST?

Yes. ASM can coordinate the appointed local provider for confirmed ramp, passenger, crew, baggage, equipment, catering and transport requirements.

Can aircraft parking be guaranteed at IST?

No. Parking is subject to airport and handler confirmation for the aircraft, schedule and proposed ground time. Overnight or extended parking should be requested early.

Is Jet A-1 available at IST?

Jet A-1 is normally available, but quantity, supplier acceptance, delivery timing and fuel release must be confirmed for the individual movement.

Should an operator use IST or SAW?

The choice depends on passenger destination, aircraft, schedule, handling, parking and operating requirements. ASM can assess the complete mission before confirming the airport plan.

Request flight support at IST

Planning an operation through Istanbul, Türkiye? ASM has supported international aviation operations since 1998 and coordinates flight support through its 24/7 desk.

Email: sales@asm.aero
Telephone: +971 4 409 7755

Permits, slots, airport acceptance, parking, fuel, handling and other services remain subject to the relevant authorities and suppliers for the individual movement.