Ordu-Gi̇resun Airport (Selection of venue and possible effects)

Airline transportation provides great advantages to the passengers because of the speed and comfort facilities offered. Therefore, the number of people who use the airline in the world and the number of airports which the aircrafts land have been increasing day by day. To closely follow the development in question, the idea of improvement of aviation in our country has emerged in recent years. In this context, to improve aviation in our country, the approach of "Regional Aviation Development" has been dominated by Ministry of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications. In accordance with the goal of Ministry of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications, many new airports were built and renovation and expansion work was also carried out in some airports. Ordu-Giresun Airport which was built in order to provide fast and comfortable transportation for Ordu, Giresun and immediate environment, is one of them. The airport in question has the feature of being the first airport in Europe and Turkey in terms of constructing over a sea-filled area. As it is well known, due to the hilly and mountainous topography, Ordu and Giresun provinces are fields in which have no transportation systems excluding highway transportation. The highway network in the region is also unsatisfactory despite the improvement in the recent years. The aim of this study is to question the choice of venue of Ordu-Giresun Airport and predict the effects in the hinterland when the airport comes into operation. In this context the airport's venue selection and justification have been discussed with the objective data in the context of the geographical structure of the region and contribution to its environment and possible risks due to the choice of venue have been discussed by comparing the natural and human charecteristics of the region when the airport comes into operation. In our research, Gülyalı which hosts to the airport and the geographical features of its immediate environment were examined with trip-observation method and the potential impacts of the airport were supported by interviews which were done with the authorities of public and civil society organizations in the region. Provincial borders of Ordu and Giresun which are the airport's target audience constitute the limits of our works. When Ordu-Giresun Airport has been built, it will have many positive effects primarily on transportation sector. Indeed, the regions natural wealth and virgin geography has great tourism potential and that the airport comes into operation has a great importance on the economic growth. On the other hand, the airport to be built on a sea-filled area also incorporates a number of risks along. Keywords: Air transportation, Gülyalı, Ordu–Giresun Airport, Venue Selection, Possıble Effects, Site Features.