The flagship project of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Istanbul is in trouble after contractor and officials abanded the project.

The project soft opening was scheduled in October 2018, but in December the government delayed the opening to March 2019. The opening date was pushed back again due to fears of local elections on March 2019. In the meantime, the contractors, which signed the BOT project, abanded the project. Officials responsible stated that the construction work of the project is almost over.

This US$ 25 billion concession was awarded to Istanbul Grand Airport (IGA) formed by Cengiz, Limak, Kalyon, Kolin and Mapa. Project construction began in June 2014. 

The terms of the Public Private Partnership deal state that during 13 years after the airport opens, the contractors are guaranteed an annual income of 6.3 billion euros from the 90 million passengers projected to travel through the airport annually and any shortfall would be paid to the consortium by the Treasury.