While 128 airlines currently fly to 276 destinations in 110 countries from Istanbul's International Atatürk Airport, the third airport will double this number, hosting 250 airline companies when completed.İGA Airports Construction CEO Yusuf Akçaoğlu said the third airport's construction continues at top speed, stressing that they have worked incessantly in three shifts; especially throughout summer.Noting that they have worked around-the-clock day and night in order to complete the first stage of the airport by the planned date—February 26, 2018, Akçayoğlu said groundbreaking construction of the terminal building will be finished as soon as possible.According to Akçayoğlu, the terminal building, which is currently under construction on an area of 1.3 million square meters, will have a capacity for 90 million passengers; however, it will manage to host 110 million passengers compared to Atatürk Airport which currently serves over 60 million passengers on an annual basis with a terminal building of about 400,000 square meters.Highlighting that the estimated cost of the first stage is 6 billion euros, Akçayoğlu said along with value-added tax (VAT), 2.4 billion euros ($2.69 billion) of the said amount has already been spent.Akçayoğlu stressed that the toughest stages of the airport have already been constructed and they aim to complete roughly 4 percent of the overall project's scope per month, recalling that 30 percent of all construction has been completed so far. Construction of the runways is in progress at top speed, Akçayoğlu said, adding that the first runway has reached the final stage and the asphalt paving process will begin soon.Recalling that Atatürk Airport broke a new record with a total number of 1,500 arrivals and departures on Sep. 18, the last day of the Qurban Bayram holiday, Akçayoğlu said 2,000 planes will land and take off when the first phase of the airport is put into service.Akçayoğlu said Istanbul's Third Airport will fly to over 350 destinations in different parts of the world, therefore becoming one of the world's largest transportation hubs.Noting that airport administrators have held talks with the international aviation sector, Akçayoğlu said the airport will serve 250 airlines companies.Highlighting that the airport will have Europe's biggest parking lot with a capacity of 18,000 vehicles, Akçayoğlu stressed that while 18,500 people are currently employed at the airport, that number will increase to 30,000 this time next year and the third airport will create direct job opportunities for over 100,000 people when put into service. He also added that the airport traffic control tower's design was inspired by a tulip figure, and its construction will begin in October.Transportation to the airport will have different alternatives and the Gayrettepe-Third Airport subway line will soon be put up for bidding, Akçayoğlu said, suggesting that new D-20 highway and North Marmara Highway will provide easy access to the airport and the city center. Pointing out that access roads of the said highways are currently under construction, Akçayoğlu said a high-speed train line is also planned for the airport.