Inside Istanbul's giant $12 billion airport - in pictures

First phase of massive project due to open at the end of October, 2018

Airport employees are seen working in the arrivals hall. Getty Images

The control tower. Getty Images

The main hall. Getty Images

The first phase of the new airport will reportedly handle 90 million passengers Getty Images

The first phase of the airport is due to open on October 29. Getty Images

Airport employees are seen working on the mosque being built in front of the main terminal. Getty Images

Flight information boards. Getty Images

The airport will cost $12bn. Getty Images

Airport employees clean chairs in the completed hall "B" section. Getty Images

An airport employee works to put finishing touches to the completed hall "B" section. Getty Images

Billed as the world's largest, construction continues around the clock on Turkey's new $12 billion airport.

The official opening of the first phase - two runways and a terminal that can handle 90 million passengers a year - is due to take place on October 29.

Once all four phases of construction are completed, scheduled for 2025, the airport will service 100 airlines, flying to more than 350 destinations. It will have an estimated annual passenger capacity of 200 million making it the biggest air travel hub in Europe and one of the largest airports in the world.

Read more: Turkey's massive new Istanbul airport faces a rough take-off