Plaza Premium Group Opens New Domestic Lounge and Announces Upcoming Plaza Premium First at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport
PPG targets four lounges by summer 2026 in support of the rapid growth at Sabiha Gökçen
Istanbul, January 26, 2026 – Plaza Premium Group (PPG), the global leader in integrated,
360-degree airport hospitality and passenger service solutions, is expanding its lounge and
passenger services at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.
In line with Turkey’s booming tourism sector and rising passenger volumes, PPG will operate
four lounges at the airport by the 2026 summer season — three international and one
domestic. This includes a newly opened domestic lounge, with the existing domestic lounge
set to convert into an international lounge.
The grand opening of the new Plaza Premium Lounge Anadolu in Domestic Departures at
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) was marked by an inaugural ribboncutting ceremony led by Mr. Song Hoi See, Founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group, alongside Sabiha Gökçen International Airport’s leadership—Mr. Kerem Maybek, Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer; Ms. Hanita Ahmad, Chief Financial Officer; and Mr. Halil Avşar, Governor—as well as PPG’s leadership—Mr. Bora İşbulan, Deputy CEO; Mr. Emrecan Ergin, Vice President MEA and Ms. Yasemin Akcay, Area General Manager, Türkiye & Hungary.
Recognising the growing demand from experience-driven travellers, PPG is creating a distinct
proposition for the affluent travel segment in Turkey. It will soon introduce Plaza Premium First
— its elevated lounge brand — at Sabiha Gökçen. Plaza Premium First is designed for
discerning travellers and represents an evolution of Plaza Premium Group’s mission to redefine
travel through personalised hospitality, bespoke dining and curated cocktails, wines and spirits.
Plaza Premium First lounges are currently located in cosmopolitan capitals: Hong Kong, Kuala
Lumpur, Jakarta, Macau, Vancouver, Phnom Penh, and most recently Rome — with more
locations coming soon, including Dallas, New York, and Riyadh.
“PPG is celebrating its 5th anniversary in Turkey. We began our journey here in 2021 with two
lounges, Fast Track, and Meet & Assist services at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. PPG
has been growing alongside the airport and the tourism industry. We are optimistic about the
growth opportunities as we look forward to further expansion across Türkiye.” said Mr. Song
Hoi See, Founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group.
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, one of the key hubs in Turkey and Europe, connects
Istanbul to more than 154 destinations across 54 countries. It served 48 million passengers last
year, with over 270,000 flights. This continued growth reinforces Istanbul’s position on the
global stage, as the city ranked fifth worldwide for international arrivals in 2025.
In 2025, PPG hosted over 1.2 million passengers across its lounges, fast track, and meet-andassist services at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport—representing a significant increase of 32% compared to the previous year.
“We’ve seen steady growth in Türkiye’s travel industry alongside strengthened connectivity.
PPG also saw significant expansion in the past five years. We are excited to broaden our
portfolio of airport hospitality services in Sabiha Gökçen Airport and provide more options for
travellers, making every journey more comfortable, personalised, and seamless.” said Ali Bora
İşbulan, Deputy CEO, Plaza Premium Group.
Speaking at the launch event Hanita Ahmad, Chief Finance Officer of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen
(ISG) International Airport said, “In the modern era of aviation, travel is defined not merely by
the destination, but by the excellence of the journey itself. By collaborating with a worldrenowned leader like Plaza Premium Group, we are ensuring that Sabiha Gökçen meets those
expectations. The inauguration of this new lounge is a physical manifestation of our shared
commitment to redefining and elevating the passenger experience at every touchpoint.”
“At Sabiha Gökçen, our goal is to ensure that every journey through our terminal is fluid,
intuitive, and genuinely welcoming. This ‘More Than an Airport’ philosophy is brought to life
by partners who share our dedication to excellence. My thanks go to the Plaza Premium Group
and Mr. Song Hoi See; their investment in our future is a vital catalyst for the premium
experience we provide today.” added Kerem Maybek, Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer (CCSO) of ISG.
