Istanbul sends out message to Dubai: We're getting closer

The foundation stone is laid for the third airport in Istanbul that should service up to 150 million passengers a year.

This should make it one of the largest airports in the world.

- The world's biggest airport will be situated here - Turkish Prime Minister Redzep Tajip Erdogan said after laying the foundation stone.

The first phase of construction should be completed by October 2017 and the airport will be opened 2018, with a capacity of up to 150 million passengers a year.

This project costs USD 30 billion (EUR 22 billion). Turkey wants to compete with the international airport El Mukatum in Dubai which opened 2012 and has an annual capacity of up to 160 million passengers.