Istanbul Airport (LTFM)
Istanbul, Turkey · Europe
By Renzo Madueño, former Airbus A320 First Officer (Avianca), FAA commercial pilot
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 290350Z 01013KT 7000 -SHRA BKN006 BKN022 16/16 Q1012 NOSIG RMK RWY17L 36015KT RWY34L 36015KT RWY16R 35016KT RWY36 02012KT RWY18 03011KTWind 010° at 13 kt — likely active runway near heading 01
Current TAF
TAF LTFM 282240Z 2900/3006 03016KT 9999 BKN011 BKN022 TEMPO 2900/2904 -SHRA BKN008 BKN022 BECMG 2904/2907 -SHRA BKN007 BKN022 PROB40 TEMPO 2910/2914 4000 SHRA BKN006 FEW017CB BKN022 BECMG 2912/2914 01018G28KT PROB40 TEMPO 2914/2918 4000 SHRA BKN006 FEW018TCU BKN022 BECMG 2916/2918 01015KTRead any LTFM METAR without second-guessing
One page: every METAR and TAF group decoded, the ceiling and visibility limits that matter, and the traps that catch pilots on a marginal day.
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Decode METAR for LTFM
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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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