Speaking at the inauguration of the 10th Transportation Council, which was held at the Haliç Congress Center yesterday, Erdoğan said Turkey would invest $350 billion in transportation and communication in the next 25 years.

Talking about improvements in the transportation system, Erdoğan said traveling by plane used to be a luxury for Turks, adding that they could now fly easily thanks to steps taken by his Justice and Development (AK Party) government.

"Sabiha Gökcen Airport was not in operation when the AK Party government came to power. Now, this airport cannot meet demand. A new terminal building will be inaugurated on Oct. 31. However, this is not enough either. We have to construct several new airports in İstanbul," said the prime minister.

There are currently two airports in the area: İstanbul Atatürk Airport is on the European side of the city and Sabiha Gökcen is on the Asian side.

Erdoğan also talked about the need for a third bridge over the Bosporus Strait while downplaying critics' concerns.

"There is the need for a third bridge in İstanbul whose construction will not damage the historical and natural texture of the city, but some circles oppose this. Those who oppose the construction of the third bridge today also opposed the construction of the first bridge over the Bosporus. But they later used that bridge without any embarrassment,” he said.

Prime Minister Erdoğan said the government has started to implement a comprehensive development plan to upgrade the standards of the country and increase its competitive power, consolidating its significant place among world economies.

Erdoğan said Turkey and İstanbul constituted a gate between East and West and West and East, noting that Turkey had been the main route of trade, migration, culture, philosophy and learning throughout history. “Roads do not only link countries and cities; they also continue to be bridges of civilization that link societies to each other,” he noted.