Istanbul Airport (LTFM)
Istanbul, Turkey · Europe
By Renzo, CPL
ICAO
LTFM
IATA
IST
City
Istanbul
Country
Turkey
Region
Europe
Elevation
325 ft
Runways
5 runways
Coordinates
41.2753, 28.7519
Overview
Turkish Airlines megahub connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. One of the largest airports in the world by capacity.
Current Weather at LTFM
Pilots flying into or out of Istanbul Airport should always check the latest METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) before departure. A METAR is a standardized weather observation issued every hour (or more frequently as a SPECI when conditions change rapidly). It includes wind direction and speed, visibility, cloud layers, temperature, dewpoint, and altimeter setting -- everything you need for a safe go/no-go decision.
Live conditions
Current METAR
METAR LTFM 030850Z 22012KT 180V250 CAVOK 28/12 Q1013 NOSIG RMK RWY17L 21010KT 170V250 RWY34L 22011KT RWY16R 23009KT 200V260 RWY36 22009KT 170V240 RWY18 23012KTWind 220° at 12 kt — likely active runway near heading 22
Current TAF
TAF LTFM 030440Z 0306/0412 22012KT CAVOK BECMG 0310/0312 VRB02KT BECMG 0318/0321 20012KTDecode METAR for LTFM
Paste the LTFM METAR into our free decoder and get a plain-English breakdown instantly.
Check Weather Before Your Flight
A thorough weather briefing is essential for safe flight operations at Istanbul Airport. Here are the key weather products every pilot should review:
- METARHourly surface observation for LTFM. Includes wind, visibility, ceiling, temp/dewpoint, and altimeter.
- TAFTerminal Aerodrome Forecast covering the next 24-30 hours. Look for expected wind shifts, visibility changes, and precipitation.
- NOTAMNotices to Air Missions for LTFM. Check for runway closures, taxiway restrictions, and navaid outages.
- PIREPPilot Reports from aircraft near Istanbul. Real-world turbulence, icing, and cloud top reports.
- SIG/AIRMETArea forecasts for significant weather, turbulence, and icing that may affect operations around Istanbul Airport.
Learn to read sectional charts to plan your route visually, and use our crosswind calculator to check runway compatibility with current winds.
Pilot Resources at Istanbul Airport
Radio Frequencies
Always verify current frequencies in the Chart Supplement (formerly A/FD) before flight. Common frequencies for airports like LTFM include ATIS/AWOS, Ground, Tower (if towered), Approach/Departure, and Clearance Delivery. Frequencies change -- never rely on outdated sources.
Flight Schools Nearby
Browse flight schools near Istanbul and compare training programs.
Private Pilot Guide
Everything you need to earn your PPL, from requirements to checkride prep.
METAR Decoder
Decode any METAR report into plain English. Free tool for student and experienced pilots.
Sectional Chart Guide
Learn to read VFR sectional charts for navigation around Istanbul.
Training Availability
No On-Field Training Reported
Istanbul Airport is primarily a commercial operations airport. Check nearby GA airports for flight training options.
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