TURKEY’S airport operator TAV has taken over the operations of the domestic terminal of Milas-Bodrum Airport, which serves one of the country’s major tourism destinations.

Following the signing of a concession agreement with the State Airports Authority (DHMI), TAV has begun operating the terminal. 

After submitting the highest offer in the tender at 717 million euros, TAV won the rights to operate the airport until 2035. TAV will also be taking over the international terminal on Sept. 22, 2015. 

“Milas-Bodrum Airport connects one of Turkey’s most significant tourism centers to the rest of the world, with the current number of annual passengers exceeding 3.5 million,” TAV President and CEO Sani Şener was quoted as saying in a statement released by the company.

“We believe that Bodrum will become the fourth largest city in Turkey within the next 15 to 20 years,” he said, vowing to transfer TAV’s experience and know-how to the airport.

As one of the busiest airports in the Aegean region, Milas-Bodrum opened to international traffic in 1997.

The airport is located within the borders of Muğla province and between Milas and Bodrum, two important cities of the ancient Caria region.

In addition to Muğla, it plays a major role in transportation to other tourism centers such as Didim, Kuşadası and Söke in Aydın. The airport is located only 32 km from Bodrum, 12 km to Milas and 82 km to Didim.