İstanbul Airport

LTFM / IST

Arnavutköy, Istanbul, TR

Last Updated
Mar 4, 12:50Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 34 min ago
12:50Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
10°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 2°C
7 kt
50°
--
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1029 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR LTFM 041250Z 05007KT 320V080 CAVOK 10/02 Q1029 NOSIG RMK RWY17L 06007KT 030V090 RWY34L 05006KT 010V070 RWY16R 06007KT RWY36 05009KT 010V080 RWY18 05006KT
QNH
1029 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1018 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (325 ft)
Pressure Alt
-148 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -670 ft
ISA Deviation: -4.4°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF LTFM 041040Z 0412/0518 03008KT CAVOK BECMG 0416/0419 20010KT PROB40 TEMPO 0419/0423 2500 BR SCT012 PROB30 TEMPO 0423/0502 4000 BR SCT012 BECMG 0511/0514 SCT035 BKN100 BECMG 0515/0518 30006KT
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
13:24Z BASE
+0h
VFR 30° 8 kt
Visibility: >10km
16:00Z BECMG
+3h
VFR 200° 10 kt
19:00Z PROB40 TEMPO
+6h
IFR
Visibility: 2.5 km
Mist
23:00Z PROB30 TEMPO
+10h
IFR
Visibility: 4 km
Mist

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
Chart Features
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
TFM
16L
34R ✈️
16R
34L ✈️
17L
35R ✈️
17R
35L ✈️
18
36 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 16L/34R
Active: 34R
12,303 ft 147 ft ASP 174°
2.4 kt 6.6 kt
70° angle
✈️ 16R/34L
Active: 34L
12,303 ft 196 ft ASP 174°
2.4 kt 6.6 kt
70° angle
✈️ 17L/35R
Active: 35R
13,451 ft 196 ft ASP 174°
3.5 kt 6.1 kt
60° angle
✈️ 17R/35L
Active: 35L
13,451 ft 147 ft ASP 174°
3.5 kt 6.1 kt
60° angle
✈️ 18/36
Active: 36
10,039 ft 148 ft CON 179°
4.5 kt 5.4 kt
50° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - LTFM

13,886 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
63.5%
MVFR
26.5%
IFR
5.8%
LIFR
4.2%

İstanbul Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 63.5% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 10% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 11.8 knots, with gusts recorded up to 37 knots. Temperature extremes range from -4°C to 27°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are November, September, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 11.8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 37 kt
Calm Winds: 0.1%
Direction Distribution:
N
19.5%
NE
19.6%
E
10.5%
SE
2.4%
S
19.7%
SW
17.9%
W
4.1%
NW
6.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 12°C
Range: -4°C to 27°C
-4°C 27°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 2.7%

Best Months for VFR

November September October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 16L/34R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 7.9 kt
Runway 16R/34L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 7.9 kt
Runway 17L/35R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 7 kt
Runway 17R/35L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 7 kt
Runway 18/36
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6.1 kt

Statistics computed from 13,886 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

İstanbul Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: LTFM
IATA Code: IST
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 325 ft MSL

Location

City: Arnavutköy, Istanbul
Country: TR
Latitude: 41.261297°
Longitude: 28.741951°
Time Zone: Europe/Athens

Runway Information

Runway 16L/34R
Length: 12,303 ft
Width: 147 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 16R/34L
Length: 12,303 ft
Width: 196 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 17L/35R
Length: 13,451 ft
Width: 196 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 17R/35L
Length: 13,451 ft
Width: 147 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 18/36
Length: 10,039 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About İstanbul Airport

Overview

İstanbul Airport is a major international aviation hub located in the Arnavutköy district northwest of Istanbul, Turkey. Serving as a critical global connection point, the airport sits at an elevation of 325 feet mean sea level and features five substantial runways capable of handling large commercial aircraft. Its strategic location and extensive runway infrastructure make it a significant regional gateway for international and domestic air traffic.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at İstanbul Airport are predominantly favorable for flying, with VFR conditions present 69.8% of the time and MVFR conditions occurring 25.4% of the year. The prevailing winds are from the northeast at an average of 12 knots, with temperatures ranging from -4°C to 27°C and an average of 13.3°C. Pilots can expect optimal visual flying conditions during September, October, and November, with minimal fog occurrence (0.7%) and consistently good visibility averaging 10 statute miles.

Notable Features

The airport boasts five runways with impressive lengths between 10,039 and 13,451 feet, all constructed with asphalt surfaces. All runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignment, with moderate crosswind components ranging from 6.4 to 8.2 knots. The airport's multiple parallel runway configuration provides significant operational flexibility for different wind conditions and traffic management.

Approach Considerations

Wind conditions strongly favor approaches along the 16/34 and 17/35 runway axes, with consistent wind patterns from the northeast. Crosswind components remain relatively modest across all runways, typically between 6.4 and 8.2 knots, which should provide comfortable landing conditions for most aircraft. Pilots should anticipate stable approach conditions, particularly during the statistically most favorable months of September through November.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.