⏰ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic → Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic → International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
🏢 Terminal Information
Rize–Artvin Airport (IATA: RZV, ICAO: LTFO) serves as Turkey's most remarkable aviation achievement, constructed entirely on a sea embankment off the Black Sea coast near Rize, representing groundbreaking engineering that makes it the world's second airport built on reclaimed sea land after Ordu–Giresun Airport. Opened on May 14, 2022, this facility provides essential access to northeastern Turkey's tea-growing region, where the provinces of Rize and Artvin meet the Black Sea in an area renowned for its dramatic mountainous coastline, traditional wooden architecture, and Turkey's entire domestic tea production.
The airport features ultra-modern infrastructure designed to serve 2 million passengers annually, with a 4,500-square-meter terminal building featuring contemporary amenities, Turkish hospitality standards, and specialized services reflecting the region's unique position as Turkey's tea capital and gateway to the Caucasus region. The facility includes a 3,000-meter runway constructed on 800,000 square meters of sea embankment, creating unprecedented engineering capabilities that accommodate all commercial aircraft types while providing spectacular views of the Black Sea and Kaçkar Mountains.
Operational services support the diverse needs of Turkey's northeastern region, facilitating connections for government officials, tea industry business, tourism accessing the Kaçkar Mountains and traditional highland culture, and regional development projects connecting Turkey to Georgia and the broader Caucasus region. The airport coordinates with Turkish Airlines, AJet, and other carriers providing domestic connections to Istanbul, Ankara, and major Turkish cities.
Rize–Artvin Airport represents more than regional infrastructure; it serves as a symbol of Turkish engineering innovation and commitment to connecting remote regions to national development while providing access to one of Turkey's most scenic and culturally authentic regions where Black Sea traditions, tea culture, and mountain heritage create a unique Turkish regional identity.
🔄 Connection Tips
Turkish Airlines, AJet, and Pegasus provide domestic service to Istanbul, Ankara, and other Turkish cities from this remarkable sea-built airport serving Turkey's tea capital and northeastern Black Sea region. Modern terminal features Turkish hospitality standards, duty-free shopping, restaurants serving regional Black Sea cuisine, and contemporary amenities reflecting Turkey's investment in regional connectivity. Cultural attractions coordinate with tea plantation tours, traditional wooden architecture, Kaçkar Mountains trekking, and authentic Black Sea cultural experiences. Cross-border connections provide access to Georgia and Batumi, creating opportunities for regional tourism and cultural exchange throughout the Caucasus region.
Ground transport includes taxis, rental cars, and HAVAŞ shuttle services accessing Rize city center and regional destinations throughout tea plantation valleys and Kaçkar Mountains. Turkish language standard with some English in tourism services, in a region where Laz culture and traditional Black Sea customs blend with modern Turkish development. Culinary tourism features regional specialties including tea culture, Black Sea fish dishes, corn bread, and traditional mountain foods throughout Turkey's most distinctive regional cuisine. Consider seasonal weather patterns when planning visits, as spring and summer offer optimal conditions for mountain trekking while autumn brings spectacular fall colors throughout tea plantation regions.
Oceanic climate with high humidity and frequent precipitation affecting flight operations, plus Black Sea weather patterns requiring flexible scheduling during storm seasons. Banking services comprehensive with Turkish Lira and major credit cards accepted throughout this economically important tea-producing region. Environmental access includes Kaçkar Mountains National Park, alpine lakes, highland plateaus, and pristine mountain ecosystems supporting unique Caucasian flora and fauna.
⏰ 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.
← Back to Rize–Artvin Airport