⏰ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic → Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic → International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
90
minutes
🏢 Terminal Information
Kars Harakani Airport (KSY), also identified by its ICAO code LTCF, serves as a vital aviation gateway for the city of Kars and the surrounding eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The airport features a modern terminal building, designed by architect Yakup Hazan, which utilizes a distinctive "closed shell" architecture specifically engineered to withstand the region's harsh and exceptionally cold climate. Following a significant modernization phase, the facility has officially transitioned to international status, supported by an annual passenger capacity of 3 million and the establishment of dedicated customs and immigration units.
The terminal is equipped with advanced passenger processing facilities, including dedicated boarding bridges that allow travelers to move between the aircraft and the terminal without exposure to external weather conditions. Inside, passengers have access to a variety of amenities such as waiting lounges, retail shops, and dining options. The airport also features a 300-car parking area, including a specialized VIP section, and five aircraft parking positions on the main apron, catering to both domestic regional flights and emerging international charter rotations.
Infrastructure at Kars Harakani is centered around two 3,500-meter runways (06R/24L and 06L/24R), providing the capacity to handle large jet aircraft and ensuring operational redundancy. In 2025, the airport served over 600,000 domestic passengers via major carriers like Turkish Airlines, AJet, and Pegasus, connecting the region to hubs like Istanbul and Ankara. Ground transportation is well-integrated with the terminal, with regular taxi services and private vehicle access providing seamless links to the Kars city center and the region's prominent historical and tourism sites.
🔄 Connection Tips
Kars Harakani Airport (KSY) is a modern and exceptionally efficient aviation gateway to the ruggedly beautiful northeastern region of Turkey. Taxis are also plentiful and operate 24/7 at the designated ranks outside the arrivals hall; they use meters, though it is always good practice to confirm the approximate cost to your specific hotel beforehand. The terminal itself is compact and easy to navigate, featuring a small cafe and essential retail shops.
Located just 6 kilometers from the Kars city center, getting to and from the airport is remarkably straightforward. If you are visiting during the peak winter season (November to March) to ski at the world-class Sarıkamış resort or to see the frozen Lake Çıldır, renting a car is a popular choice; however, ensuring your vehicle is equipped with high-quality winter tires is absolutely non-negotiable, as Kars is consistently one of the coldest cities in Turkey and road conditions can be extremely icy and demanding. Be mindful that security protocols at Turkish airports often involve an initial screening at the terminal entrance and a second check at the boarding gate, so keep your travel documents and identification easily accessible throughout the process.
For the most economical transfer, a dedicated municipal shuttle bus is specifically timed to meet every arriving scheduled flight, providing a reliable 20-minute link to major city hubs like Faikbey Street for a very low fare. For those planning to visit the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site of Ani, located about 45 kilometers to the east, negotiating a full-day taxi rate or arranging a private tour from the airport is the most efficient strategy. Arriving roughly 90 minutes before a domestic departure is typically sufficient to clear all formalities without stress.
⏰ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic → Domestic
40
minutes
Domestic → International
75
minutes
Interline Connections
110
minutes
🏢 Terminal Information
Adana Şakirpaşa Airport (ADA), with ICAO code LTAF, located in Adana, Turkey, has transitioned its primary role. As of August 10, 2024, all commercial airline passenger flights have ceased operations at this airport and have been relocated to the newly opened Çukurova International Airport. Consequently, the previous domestic and international terminals are no longer used for scheduled commercial passenger services. Adana Şakirpaşa Airport now primarily serves general aviation, private travel, pilot training, and air sports. The facilities, while historically designed for commercial passenger flow, are now adapted to support these non-commercial aviation activities.
The infrastructure at Adana Şakirpaşa, once a bustling commercial hub, now accommodates its general aviation focus. This includes maintenance facilities for smaller aircraft, hangars for private planes, and specialized areas for flight schools and air sports enthusiasts. While the terminal buildings remain, their purpose has shifted from high-volume passenger processing to supporting the technical and logistical needs of general aviation operations. Signage and services are now geared towards pilots, aircraft owners, and those involved in aviation training rather than the general public seeking commercial flights.
Security protocols at ADA are now tailored to general aviation standards, differing from the more stringent requirements of commercial passenger airports. Access control remains important for aircraft safety and operational security, but the extensive passenger screening procedures seen at commercial airports are no longer in place. Any basic amenities that remain are primarily for the convenience of general aviation users. Customs and immigration facilities, if still present, would be for specialized international general aviation flights only, requiring prior arrangement.
🔄 Connection Tips
Adana Şakirpaşa Airport ceased all commercial passenger operations on August 11, 2024, with all flights permanently transferred to the newly inaugurated Çukurova International Airport (COV) located 35 kilometers west in Tarsus district, Mersin Province. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan opened the modern 110,051-square-meter terminal designed for 9 million annual passengers, replacing the capacity-constrained urban airport that had operated near its 6.5 million passenger limit with no room for expansion due to its central city location just 5 kilometers from downtown Adana.
Commercial aviation connections now exclusively operate through Çukurova International Airport serving both Adana and Mersin provinces, with Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, SunExpress, and international carriers providing domestic connections to Istanbul, Ankara, and İzmir, plus international services to European and Middle Eastern destinations. The massive transition involved transferring 250 pieces of equipment using 80 trucks and 275 personnel completed in just 4 hours, well ahead of the planned 12-hour timeline, with the new airport recording 1,917,538 passengers from August to December 2024 and over 30,000 aircraft movements in its first operational year.
Ground transportation to COV includes Havaş shuttle services connecting the airport to Adana and Mersin city centers, while the former Şakirpaşa Airport now exclusively serves general aviation, private aircraft, pilot training, and air sports activities. Travelers should note the significantly increased travel time from Adana center (35 km to COV versus the former 5 km to ADA) and verify departure airports carefully when booking, as the old centrally-located facility no longer handles any commercial passenger services. The transition represents Turkey's largest airport infrastructure upgrade in the Mediterranean region, supporting the growing Çukurova economic zone with modern aviation facilities designed for future expansion and international connectivity.
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