British Airways franchise partner GB Airways is to launch direct scheduled flights to Dalaman in Turkey in May 2006.

The airline will operate twice-weekly services, on Mondays and Fridays, from London Gatwick to the east coast of Turkey from May 1 until the end of October.

John Morgan, commercial director GB Airways said: “I am thrilled that we will be launching services to Dalaman. The airport is the gateway to the west coast of Turkey, an area that is increasingly popular amongst British holidaymakers and more recently second homeowners. I am confident that these services will prove as popular as all of the other new destinations that we have recently started in the eastern Mediterranean.”

General Directorate of State Airports Administration (DHMI) called a privatization tender in the year 2003 for Dalaman Airport on the basis of Build-Operate-Transfer model. Being awarded the contract, ATM Airport Construction and Management Co. assumed the financing, construction and operation of Dalaman Airport International Terminal and its extensions.

New and Improved Terminal at Dalaman Airport

Serving Turkey's western Mediterranean coast towns such as Marmaris, Datça, Fethiye, Köyceðiz, Dalyan, Göcek, Sarýgerme, the current Dalaman Airport has become insufficient in light of the increasing number of passengers and airplanes as a result of recent developments in tourism in Turkey. In order to increase capacity, the Turkish Government's General Directorate of State Airports Administration (DHMI) has announced a new Dalaman Airport project. This new facility which started construction in 2005 consists of a new International Terminal Building, and additional apron, VIP facilities and a car park to be built at the current airport area.

Architecture

The International Terminal of Dalaman Airport is designed to have all the features of a big international terminal while maintaining close links to its Mediterranean environment. This project is an architectural work reflecting the perfect combination of modern architecture and environmental harmony, was designed by the Architects Emre Arolat and Bünyamin Derman. The extensive use of windows at Dalaman Airport and wide areas are enabling people to stroll around in the terminal aim at ensuring the comfort of the passengers. Situated in the middle of the Aegean and Mediterranean, Dalaman bears the characteristics of the both regions and climates. The New International Terminal of Dalaman Airport is projected to combine the modern architecture and natural beauties under in one building and to take the passengers on a small tour in Aegean and Mediterranean by means of indoor gardens located particularly in the waiting halls. Thanks to the windows surrounding the building, the sunshine will be by the terminal all day long.

Terminal Features

The Domestic and International Terminals at the current airport in Dalaman covers an area of 35.000 m2. When the Dalaman Airport Project is completed in 2006, the new International Terminal covering an area of 95.000 m2 will be three times bigger than the current terminal. Within the framework of the project, in addition to the International Terminal, an additional apron of 210.000 m2 and a parking lot covering 14.000 m2 with a capacity 950 vehicles, CIP and VIP buildings are being constructed.

When the terminal commences operation, passenger capacity per annum will rise up to 10.000.000 people. Together with the additional aprons to be constructed, 14 new parking places for airplanes are planned. There are 8 passenger bridges and 6 distant plane passenger boarding gates. At the New International Terminal, there will be 60 check-in counters, with a capacity of 4000 passengers and 5000 baggage per hour. In addition, the necessary infrastructure is being prepared for early check-in at regional hotels in order to avoid long queues at the terminal.

Services such as ticket sales, banks and exchange offices, post office, emergency care clinic, baby rooms and children play grounds, pharmacy, newspaper stall, car rent, hotel reservations, florist, checkroom for luggage, restrooms etc. will be offered to all passengers. There will also be a small Mosque, Chapel and Synagogue for prayers at Dalaman International Terminal.

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