Top 5: Turkey’s Busiest International Air Routes
Late last month, the 90th anniversary of Turkish Airlines was celebrated to highlight the incredible growth and rapid expansion the flag carrier has progressed and contributed to the Turkish aviation industry. The recent developments of smaller carriers such as Pegasus, SunExpress, and Corendon Airlines have also contributed to allowing Turkey to become better connected.
With several airlines hard at work flying various routes, strengthening flight connections, and numerous international airports housing millions of passengers every year, Turkey has undoubtedly grown in taking the central stage within global aviation. But among the many connections, what are Turkey’s busiest international air routes?
1 Düsseldorf
According to data provided by Cirium, guarding the podium at number one is none other than Düsseldorf. This particular route occupies an average of more than 689,040 seats in a year’s quarter, as such significant capacities primarily serve the larger Turkish communities living in Germany.
Photo: Melih Evren | Shutterstock
From Istanbul alone, there are often more than eight non-stop flights offered daily by Turkish Airlines and Pegasus. Whereas from Antalya, there are more than five per day, more than four non-stop flights daily from Izmir, and an average of two from Ankara and Zonguldak – also operated by Corendon Airlines and SunExpress.
2 Moscow
Next on the podium is Moscow, occupying an estimated average of 651,770 seats per quarter. And the numbers are not surprising, given how Russia has generally been a significant market for the Turkish aviation and tourism industry all these decades. In fact, Russia supplies the largest number of visitors to Turkey every year.
And as Russia continues to be impacted by economic sanctions, Turkey also becomes its primary international market due to better connectivity to the US and the rest of Europe, accounting for more than 17% of flights in Russia and more than 18% of seat supply. However, most flights to and from Turkey primarily connect with Moscow Vnukovo International Airport.
3 Ercan
Even though Turkey is the only country that recognizes the state of Northern Cyprus, it might still be surprising to some to learn that Ercan finishes the podium as the third busiest international air route from Turkey, with an average occupation of 604,700 seats per yearly quarter.
Photo: MBekir | Shutterstock
Only Turkish-registered aircraft are allowed to fly to Ercan, which means any travelers wishing to visit Northern Cyprus will have to go through Turkey on flights operated by Pegasus or via Turkish Airlines, operated by AnadoluJet.
4 Frankfurt
Accompanying Düsseldorf among the top five international air routes from Turkey is yet another German city, Frankfurt. The significant financial hub hosts about 500,326 on average, which is notably a far cry from the number of seats occupied by the top three on this list. Low-cost carrier Pegasus offers non-stop flights from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Frankfurt Airport.
On the other hand, Turkish Airlines currently operates eight non-stop flights from Turkey’s main and smaller airports – such as Istanbul Airport, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Antalya Airport, Ankara Esenboğa Airport, Erkilet International Airport, Adana Airport, Ministro Pistarini International Airport, and Ordu–Giresun Airport to Frankfurt Airport.
5 Tel Aviv
And last but not least on this list and standing as the fifth busiest international route from Turkey is none other than Tel Aviv in Israel. With competitive tourism prices and pleasing hospitality, Turkey has always been a popular tourist destination for Israelis, which explains how this particular route occupies an average of 485,890 seats per quarter.
Up until this February, flights for this route were primarily performed by Turkish carriers as Israeli carriers suspended their operations due to strained diplomatic relations. For example, Turkish Airlines operates at least three non-stop routes to Ben Gurion International Airport from Istanbul and Antalya. In contrast, Pegasus offers non-stop flight services from Istanbul to Tel Aviv.
