A BUDGET airline has launched a new route between the UK and Turkey, with flights already taking to the skies.
Pegasus Airlines, a low-cost carrier based in Turkey, has launched flights from Birmingham Airport.
GettyPegasus Airlines, a low-cost carrier based in Turkey, has launched flights from Birmingham Airport[/caption]
GettyThe new route is already in operation[/caption]
The new route is operating between Birmingham Airport and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport in Istanbul.
Three weekly flights will be operating from Birmingham Airport on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with flights departing at 1.10pm local time, with a flight time of 5 hours.
Return flights from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport will depart on the same day at 10.30am local time.
One-way fares between the two cities start from £39.99 per person.
The first Pegasus Airlines flight between Birmingham Airport and Istanbul took to the skies yesterday (Thursday, December 21, 2023).
According to Travel Weekly, Nick Barton, Birmingham Airport chief executive said: “This is a lovely early Christmas gift for us and for the many customers in our region who now have even greater options for travelling to Turkey and beyond.
“I have no doubt these new services will be very popular with sunseekers, pilgrims, business travellers and people going to see family both in Turkey and across the vast array of destinations offered by Pegasus’s strong onward network covering Asia, Europe and Africa.”
Located on the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul lies in both Europe and Asia, and it’s a popular spot among British holidaymakers.
The weather in Istanbul remains mild throughout the year, with temperatures reaching a high of 29C in the summer.
In addition to the new flights, there are plenty of other reasons to visit Istanbul.
One of those is the Topkapi Palace, which is a large museum and library that’s home to the opulent staterooms, and the harem and verdant gardens where Ottoman sultans once presided.
There’s also The Archaeology Museum, The Museum of the Ancient Orient, and The Tiled Kiosk Museum.
Other attractions include the Grand Bazaar, where holidaymakers can haggle for gifts and souvenirs.
Despite the ongoing conflict in Syria, which borders Turkey, destinations such as Istanbul remain safe for travel.
Travel is advised against towns and cities along the border between Syria and Turkey, according to the UK Government website.
Pegasus Airlines isn’t the only airline opening new routes from the UK to holiday destinations across the globe.
British Airways will be resuming flights from London Stansted for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The flag carrier has confirmed that three new routes will depart from the London airport, with prices starting at £36 for a one-way ticket.
Budget airline Ryanair is launching flights to Spain, Portugal, and Malta, from Norwich Airport.
As it stands, the airport only serves a handful of foreign destinations, which means the Ryanair expansion is great news for holidaymakers in East Anglia.
The flights will run on both Mondays and Fridays, according to the aviation website Simple Flying.
Ryanair is also launching flights from Cornwall Airport and Cardiff Airport, with new routes to Paris and Faro among some of those announced.
AlamyOne-way fares between the two cities start from £39.99 per person[/caption]