DAILY-TURKISH-HE SOURCES
[90607] Turkish President Erdogan inaugurated the new metro line in Istanbul and announced free travel
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated the new metro line connecting Halkalı to Istanbul Airport and announced that the use of the line will be free of charge until the end of July.
Turkish President inaugurates the high-speed metro line in Istanbul
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated today, June 19, 2026, the new section of the metro line connecting Halkalı to Istanbul Airport. According to reports from TRT Haber, the President announced during the ceremony that service on the line will be free for the public until July 31.
The project, which includes a 69-kilometer underground infrastructure, was presented as the fastest and longest metro line in Turkey. According to data published by gdh, the operation of the new section shortens the travel time between Halkalı and the airport to just 30 minutes. A Haber, a media outlet identified with government positions, emphasized that trains on this line are capable of reaching speeds of 120 km/h.
In his speech at the ceremony, Erdogan sharply attacked the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality administration, claiming that the city suffers from "mismanagement" that causes heavy traffic congestion. As reported by gdh, the President stated: "Istanbul will not tolerate incompetence or a lack of vision," adding that his government is committed to investing in infrastructure rather than using state resources for political or personal needs.
Conversely, channels critical of the administration, such as Son Dakika Haberleri, highlighted in this context the prolonged political tension between Erdogan and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, noting that the use of "mismanagement" rhetoric is part of the inter-party struggle ahead of what is to come.
Representatives of İhlas Haber Ajansı noted that with the opening of this line, the total length of mass transit systems built by the Turkish Ministry of Transport in Istanbul reaches 191 kilometers. President Erdogan concluded his remarks with a promise to continue developing infrastructure in the city to prevent further erosion of residents' quality of life due to transportation problems.