İzmir Airport, booming Turkey

Back in the day, airports were something else. They were cozier, friendlier and easier to navigate, but in today’s Turkey, they just keep getting bigger and more difficult At the moment, there is a big boom going on in Turkey. Actually this boom started years ago, but every day we witness new booming things; there is a booming subway line in Istanbul, construction of roads, shopping malls and apartments are booming and the construction of renewed airports has also been booming. Whenever I fly to another destination, I see a new airport being reopened or at the brink of opening. Nevşehir, Sivas and Ankara are some great examples.

One of the last airports to be opened after being enlarged is Ä°zmir. About four weeks ago, Ä°zmir Airport opened the new departure and arrival hall for domestic flights. Totally unprepared, I parked my car where I always park my car. I walk to the entrance of the arrival hall, go through the first checkpoint and head for Turkish Airlines (THY) at the check counter (this is at my left). I look around, but I cannot find the THY counter!

When I turn around, I see, it looks miles away, a little sign that reads “domestic flights.” All of a sudden I wake up; did they finish the new hall and open it, I wonder.  I walk and walk and indeed, all of a sudden the, already huge hall, changes into an even bigger hall! Now I understand why the parking garage was empty and I could easily find a parking place almost next to the entrance. While I go from the old hall into the new one and look around I am in shock. Where the heck are the counters!? I notice an island in front of me and realize that this is the check-in counter of Pegasus, but there is no sight of THY. I stand still, look...