A delegation of top officials was in the region earlier in September on a fact finding mission, for a new airport planned for this area.

The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ertuğrul Günay, the governor of Antalya and the general manager of Turkey's ports and airports construction company, were amongst the group of people who flew in by helicopter to Gürses in between Kaş and Demre, which is the place earmarked for this development.

The minister commented on the great historical and natural richness of this part of Turkey, which attracts so many tourists.  "This area needs an airport", he said, adding "Dalaman and Antalya airports in this region have a huge range, and the distance is even longer when you consider the terrain".

Unless we have lost something in the translation of the press release, it appears to KTLN that Gürses has been chosen, subject to local surveys of the site for suitability.  We could find no mention of timescales, but the Ministry in Ankara wants this to go ahead.

We believe that the runway will be 1,700 metres long, which means that it is unsuitable for larger aircraft, such as the ones that typically fly from the UK to Dalaman and Antalya airports.  Perhaps it will be used by executives and millionaires coming to their yachts in the new Kaş marina.

You can see from the map below just how close to Kekova, (Üçağız) this new airport will be.  The closest town will be Demre, just off the right of this map.  It will be roughly half an hour to Kaş and around one hour to Kalkan.

Kalkan Turkish Local News will watch out for more announcements and bring you further updates.

 Map reproduced by kind permission of the copyright owner, ifj. Zsiga György