Historical Retrospective: The Legacy of Istanbul's Büyükdere Seaplane Base

 

Historical Retrospective: The Legacy of Istanbul's Büyükdere Seaplane Base

A historical examination highlights the forgotten role of the Büyükdere seaplane base along the Bosphorus during the early development of commercial aviation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

During the interwar and mid-20th century eras, the commercial route connecting Brindisi, Athens, and Istanbul operated using maritime aircraft. The Büyükdere base served as a key transit point, significantly reducing travel times between Southern Europe and the Near East, and forming an early chapter in Turkey's aerial transport infrastructure.

Sources:

• Daily Sabah

Istanbul Care Launches Updated 2026 Treatment Packages for International Hair Transplant Patients

 

Istanbul Care Launches Updated 2026 Treatment Packages for International Hair Transplant Patients

Healthcare provider Istanbul Care announced updated 2026 treatment packages on August 10, 2026, targeted at international patients seeking hair restoration services.

The updated service offerings combine clinical procedures with logistical support for overseas visitors. The announcement comes as Istanbul continues to expand its position as a global center for cosmetic surgery and medical tourism.

Sources:

• Markets Insider - Business Insider

Dawn over the Bosphorus: Visual Media Captures Maiden's Tower at Sunrise

 

Dawn over the Bosphorus: Visual Media Captures Maiden's Tower at Sunrise

On August 11, 2026, global news agency Reuters Connect distributed aerial imagery and video coverage capturing early morning light over Istanbul's Bosphorus strait.

Produced by Anadolu Agency, the visual media documents the Maiden's Tower (Kız Kulesi) set against orange and golden hues during sunrise. The footage highlights the architectural landmark and its reflections across the Bosphorus waterway, providing licensable stock material for international media outlets.

Sources:

• Reuters Connect

Istanbul Airport Overtakes Heathrow as Europe's Busiest Hub and Sets New Daily Passenger Record

 

Istanbul Airport Overtakes Heathrow as Europe's Busiest Hub and Sets New Daily Passenger Record

During July 2026, Istanbul Airport surpassed London Heathrow to become the busiest airport hub in Europe. Operational figures published by London Heathrow show that the West London airport handled 7.86 million passengers during the month, compared to 8.15 million recorded by Istanbul Airport.

A significant factor contributing to Heathrow's position shift was a 20.2% year-on-year decline in passenger volumes on its Middle Eastern routes. The monthly shift prompted calls from Heathrow leadership emphasizing the urgency of airport expansion projects to regain competitive capacity.

In addition to leading monthly totals, Istanbul Airport established a historic operational landmark on August 9, 2026. According to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the airport handled 289,732 passengers in a single day, setting the highest single-day passenger total ever recorded at an airport in Türkiye or Europe.

Sources:

• The Guardian

• BBC News

• Yahoo Finance UK

• Morningstar

• Hürriyet Daily News

Condé Nast Traveler Highlights Architectural and Cultural Attractions in Istanbul

 

Condé Nast Traveler Highlights Architectural and Cultural Attractions in Istanbul

Travel publication Condé Nast Traveler has released a curated destination guide focusing on Istanbul's major cultural and historic sites. The feature outlines key landmarks across the city, including Ottoman-era palaces, historical bazaars, contemporary art galleries, and historic waterfront neighborhoods.

Source: Condé Nast Traveler

Yıldız Technical University Researchers Develop Analytical Method for Favipiravir

 

Yıldız Technical University Researchers Develop Analytical Method for Favipiravir

A research team at Yıldız Technical University's Department of Chemistry and Department of Analytical Chemistry in Istanbul has developed a novel analytical protocol. Detailed in Nature, the technique enables the simultaneous derivatization and preconcentration of favipiravir, improving efficiency in pharmaceutical chemical analysis.

Source: Nature

Sports Journalist Detained in Istanbul Over Disputed Transfer Report

 

Sports Journalist Detained in Istanbul Over Disputed Transfer Report

The Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Istanbul initiated legal actions leading to the detention of a sports journalist following the publication of an inaccurate football transfer report. The detention occurred after the involved sports club formally issued a public denial regarding the reported claims.

Source: Bianet