London Stansted is celebrating the launch of Turkish Airlines’ new service to Istanbul, opening up direct access to Turkey’s largest city and more than 350 onward destinations across Asia, Africa and beyond.
The airline’s inaugural flight touched down on Wednesday (March 18), marking the start of a twice‑daily schedule that will offer passengers across London, Essex, Hertfordshire and the wider East of England greater choice and improved global connectivity.
The Turkish flag carrier will operate up to 15 flights a week between London Stansted and Istanbul.
Ciaran Brannigan, Commercial Director at London Stansted, said the new service is a significant step forward for the airport and the region it serves. He said:
“We’re delighted to welcome Turkish Airlines to London Stansted. This route gives passengers from the region a fantastic new option for travelling to Istanbul and, thanks to the airline’s world‑leading network, offers convenient connections to more than 350 destinations worldwide. This launch strengthens our growing network and supports the long‑term vision for London Stansted as a major international gateway for the East of England.”
Turkish Airlines Vice President Sales (Middle and Northern Europe) Fuat Fırat, said:
“The United Kingdom continues to be one of the key strategic markets for Turkish Airlines. With the addition of London Stansted flights, we are pleased to expand our presence in London to a third airport, further strengthening London Stansted’s connectivity and offering our guests greater flexibility to access our unparalleled global network. We believe this new route will not only meet regional demand but also contribute to both commercial and tourism activity across the region.”
To mark the inaugural flight, celebrations were held at check‑in and at the boarding gate, highlighted by a ribbon and cake cutting ceremony. The aircraft’s arrival was welcomed with a traditional water arch salute by the airport’s fire service, while both inaugural flights proved extremely popular, operating at full capacity.
