Istanbul’s brand-new airport, called, quite simply, Istanbul New Airport, which partially opens on October 29, aims not only to redefine the country and make access to Turkey simpler. Located in the Arnavutköy district—on the European side of Istanbul, 20 miles outside the city along the coastline of the Black Sea—it sets the record for being the Iargest airport in the world: larger than the size of Manhattan, at 1.6 million square feet.

Turkish Airlines will launch its first flights out of the new airport to three local destinations: Ankara, Antalya and Izmir. It will also fly to Baku and Ercan in northern Cyprus.

“This airport is going to be the most important hub between Asia and Europe,” said Kadri Samsunlu, head of the 5-company consortium Istanbul Grand Airport.

The inauguration for the new facility, which will replace Istanbul’s ageing Ataturk Air-port, takes place on the 95th anniversary of modern Turkey’s founding by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The airport, which will be fully functional over the next decade, will have six runways.

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At launch, the air port will be able to transport 90 million passengers annually, and IGA forecasts that within 10 years’ time it will be able to handle 200 million — the Iargest in the world by number of passengers. (Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the current and long-time world champion, did about 104 million last year.) By 2020, IGA CEO Kadri Samsunlu expects Istanbul New Airport to reach the “100s Club,” the title given to airports that are capable of transporting 100 million passengers per year. Only Atlanta handles triple-digit passengers today, but Beijing and Dubai are close and growing fast.

The Istanbul New Airport’s architecture will reflect the rich cultural heritage of Istanbul, with the design inspiration coming from Istanbul’s various mosques, baths, domes and other historic structures. As you land, you will notice the ATC tower, which has been designed in the shape of a tulip, Turkey’s national flower.

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On day one, two runways will be operational, with a third one coming online within 16 months. The airport will have a staggering 143 boarding bridges across 77 gates when the first phase goes live. As many as 114 narrow-body aircraft should be able to dock in at the same time at the airport. Not just that, the airport has the ability to handle 15 A380s in one go. There will be 500 check-in counters available.

Families will enjoy seven large play areas for kids throughout the terminal. Also prevalent are wellness-focused initiatives, with Turkish Airlines spearheading initiatives under the direction of Dr. Mehmet Oz.