Divriği, Sivas – October 2025
Türkiye has inaugurated its 14th aviation campus in the Divriği district of Sivas, marking another milestone in the country’s expanding civil aviation and amateur flight network. At the opening ceremony, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu emphasized Türkiye’s progress in aviation, stating:
“By opening an average of 1.4 airports every year, we have built a Türkiye that knows no limits in the skies — and we’re not stopping here.”
“Divriği Airport Revives Nuri Demirağ’s Legacy”
Uraloğlu described Divriği as a unique district where history, culture, and nature converge and highlighted the symbolic value of the project:
“This is more than a new aviation campus — it’s a tribute to the roots, courage, and vision of Turkish aviation pioneer Nuri Demirağ. This is where Türkiye’s first district-level airport was built 84 years ago, in 1936. Today, we’re reviving that heritage as a modern aviation campus.”
He noted that the Divriği Aviation Campus has been designed for both manned and unmanned aircraft, featuring a 1,180-meter-long and 20-meter-wide concrete runway, eight parking positions, and facilities for aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of up to 5,700 kilograms. The campus will operate under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and will serve as both a training and recreational hub for aviation enthusiasts.
“This campus is not just a runway—it’s a cultural and social meeting point that brings the spirit of aviation to life,” Uraloğlu added.
Expanding Türkiye’s Aviation Network
Highlighting the government’s two-decade investment in aviation, Uraloğlu stated that Türkiye’s number of active airports has risen from 26 in 2002 to 58 today, with ongoing projects in Yozgat and Bayburt-Gümüşhane expected to raise the total to 60.
He underscored Türkiye’s strategic location—within a four-hour flight radius of 67 countries and 1.5 billion people—and praised the country’s expanding air network:
“We’ve increased our international flight destinations from 50 points in 60 countries to 355 points in 132 countries. Türkiye now ranks among the top nations with the most air transport agreements—175 in total—and our goal is to reach all 193 ICAO member states.”
“A New Era for Amateur and Sport Aviation”
Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that aviation should not be limited to commercial or international flights but viewed as a passion and lifestyle accessible to all ages:
“Amateur and sport aviation ignite the spirit of flight and inspire future pilots. That’s why we’ve launched aviation campuses across the country—to make this dream accessible to everyone.”
Currently, 13 aviation campuses operate in 11 provinces including Antalya, Tekirdağ, Eskişehir, Samsun, Konya, Sakarya, Çanakkale, Muş, Denizli, Ardahan, and İzmir. With the addition of Divriği, the number has increased to 14 campuses across 12 provinces.
The ministry also plans to expand further with new campuses in Niğde, Aksaray, Gaziantep, Kocaeli, and Western Antalya.
“Air Campuses Are Vital for Disaster Response”
Uraloğlu noted that aviation campuses also have a strategic role in disaster management, serving as critical hubs during emergencies:
“These facilities will enable rapid disaster response—delivering aid to isolated villages during floods, supporting firefighting operations, and allowing search and rescue teams to deploy within minutes. Every second counts during a disaster, so we prioritize requests from high-risk regions.”
“They Couldn’t Stop Nuri Demirağ’s Dream”
AK Party Parliamentary Group Chair Abdullah Güler praised the symbolic significance of reopening Divriği Airport:
“Nuri Demirağ’s vision faced many obstacles, but his dream couldn’t be stopped. Today, his legacy lives on through the new Divriği Aviation Campus.”
A Tribute to Türkiye’s Aviation Pioneers
Also attending the ceremony were Sivas Governor Yılmaz Şimşek, Deputy Transport Minister Osman Boyraz, AK Party Sivas MPs Hakan Aksu and Rukiye Toy, Sivas Mayor Adem Uzun, and other guests.
Following the opening, Minister Uraloğlu performed Friday prayers at the Divriği Great Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and toured the Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital, symbolizing the deep cultural and historical ties of the region.
Source: Anadolu Ajansı/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök