Balancing Airport Development and Environmental Sustainability: A Qualitative Study of Stakeholder Perspectives on Istanbul Airport

This study examines the balance between airport development and environmental sustainability at Istanbul Airport, a major global aviation hub facing significant ecological challenges. Using qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with eight experts across airport operations, environmental engineering, regulatory compliance, and sustainability analysis, alongside industry reports and policy documents, this research provides a comprehensive assessment of the airport’s sustainability strategies. Thematic analysis, co-occurrence mapping using NVivo, and sentiment analysis via Python’s TextBlob were employed to identify key concerns, interconnections, and stakeholder sentiments. Findings reveal that deforestation, biodiversity loss, air and noise pollution, and weak regulatory enforcement remain critical sustainability challenges, while renewable energy integration, AI-driven efficiency improvements, and waste management initiatives have shown positive progress. However, economic constraints and policy inconsistencies limit the effectiveness of sustainability measures. This study’s novelty lies in its multi-method approach, integrating expert insights with document analysis to cross-validate findings. The research underscores the need for stronger policy enforcement, stakeholder collaboration, and financial incentives for sustainable aviation fuel to achieve long-term sustainability goals. By aligning with best practices from global airports, Istanbul Airport can enhance its environmental performance while maintaining its strategic growth trajectory.