Teknofest Kicks Off, Showcasing Türkiye's Aerospace and Tech Ambitions

Aviation and tech enthusiasts began flocking to Atatürk Airport on Wednesday as the world’s largest aerospace and technology festival kicked off.

The event is set to feature competitions, air shows, exhibitions, and interactive experiences, showcasing Türkiye's expanding technological ecosystem, The Caspian Post reports citing Daily Sabah.

The Istanbul leg marks the eighth edition of Teknfoset since it was first launched in 2018. It has drawn millions of visitors over the years, arriving to see the innovations by youth and advancements the country's defense and aviation industry has to offer.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Teknofest Chair Selçuk Bayraktar described the event as far more than a festival.

"Teknofest is the strongest objection to centuries of imitation and learned helplessness. It is not about the competitions of today but about preparing for the competitions of tomorrow," Bayraktar said.

"It is the cry of a generation that not only consumes but designs technology, declaring: 'We are here.' It is our passion to fly under our own sky, with our own wings."

The Istanbul edition of Teknofest, organized by the Industry and Technology Ministry and the Türkiye Technology Team Foundation (T3), has seen more than 1.1 million young people apply across 565,000 teams to compete in 64 different contests, 13 of them new.

Teams that passed preliminary rounds will receive more than TL 85 million ($2.06 million) in financial support, while prize winners will be awarded over TL 65 million. Competition categories span critical technologies, including aerospace, robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, autonomous systems and sustainable energy.