TAV begins operations at Milas-Bodrum Airport

Serving one of the major tourism destinations of Turkey, the domestic terminal at Milas-Bodrum Airport has been transferred to TAV Airports. Having submitted the best offer in the tender at € 717 million, TAV will now operate the airport until 2035.

TAV Airports, Turkey’s global brand in airport operations, took over operations of the domestic terminal of Milas-Bodrum Airport -the 14th airport in its portfolio. Following the signing of the concession agreement with DHMI (State Airports Authority), TAV has begun operating the terminal. TAV will also be taking over the International Terminal on the 22nd of September 2015. TAV submitted the best offer (€717 million + VAT) in the tender which was held for the operating rights of Milas-Bodrum Airport until the end of 2035.

TAV Airports President & CEO Sani Şener stated: “Milas-Bodrum Airport connects one of Turkey's most significant tourism centers to the rest of the world, with the current number of annual passengers exceeding 3.5 million. We will be transferring our know-how, gained through operating 14 airports in seven countries, to Bodrum. We believe that Bodrum will become the fourth largest city in Turkey within the next 15 to 20 years. With the experience and network that it currently possesses, TAV will comfortably increase the number of passengers to 10-15 million within the operation period. It will be easier for us to launch direct flights to Bodrum from major centers around the world if local tourism, hotel investors and the city get prepared for it. We are confident that Bodrum will develop further thanks to the natural, cultural and historical heritage it possesses. Along with our stakeholders, we will work in order to utilize the full potential that Milas-Bodrum offers.”

As one of the busiest airports in the Aegean Region of Turkey, Milas-Bodrum opened to international traffic in 1997. The airport is located within the borders of Muğla Province and between Milas and Bodrum, two important cities of the ancient Caria region. In addition to Muğla, it plays a major role in transportation to other tourism centers such as Didim, Kuşadası and Söke in Aydın. The airport is located only 32 km from Bodrum, 12 km to Milas and 82 km to Didim.

Four companies had submitted offers for the tender held by the State Airports Authority (DHMI) in March to operate Milas-Bodrum Airport until the end of 2035. TAV submitted the best offer (€717 million + VAT) in the 105th round of the bidding.

Milas-Bodrum Airport served a total of 1.3 million passengers during the first half of this year; 714,000 passengers at the Domestic Terminal and 588,000 at the International Terminal.