The Secretary-General of D-8, Ambassador Dato’ Ku Jafaar Ku Shaari and the Executive Director of ISG, Dato’ Azmi Murad signed a Letter of Intent on 2^nd August, 2018. The signing ceremony was held at the ISG office and it was covered by prominent media outfits of Turkey.  ISG is the first D-8 Designated Airport and will be helpful in promoting people to people and business to business contacts as well as tourism and travel facilitation among D-8 Member States with a view to later on establish a D-8 Airports Association that would provide special airport facilities and services for D-8 citizens. Dato Azmi spoke of his intention to invite member states ‘airlines to fly and use Sabiha Gokcen airport and to have air links between all member states. On his part, the Secretary-General undertakes to promote this idea further and at least get one D-8 Designated Airport in each Member States as a first step towards his vision to form a D-8 Airport association.

In accordance with the LoI, both parties will encourage the following activities in order to promote cooperation in airport facilities and services:

1. Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport will be the D-8 designated airport
2. ISG will provide Fast Track Facilities and Lounge services at the airport for all travelers from D-8 Member States;
3. ISG will assign a space on the bill board at the Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport for marketing D-8 activities;
4. ISG and D-8 will work together to create airlines links among all the airports of D-8 countries.

Before implementing these proposals, the parties will discuss the opportunities and challenges presented and may thereafter enter into specific agreements based on the mutually agreed objectives and outcomes.

With a passenger traffic of 41 million in 2017, ISG is ranked as the second largest airport in Turkey and the 13^th largest airport in Europe. Over 50 international and local airlines patronize the ISG. The airport is strategically located in the Asian part of Istanbul.

Before the signing of the LoI, guests were entertained by the cultural troupe from the State of Malacca, Malaysia sponsored by Tourism Malaysia. The cultural performance is an effort to encourage cultural exchanges and promote tourism among D-8-Member States.