The Türkiye Guide

New Direct Flights to Istanbul: Stockholm and Central Asia Added for Summer 2026

· 2 min read Travel News
Istanbul skyline, Türkiye

Contents

  1. AJet: Stockholm Arlanda to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen from 2 June
  2. Pegasus: Oral, Kazakhstan to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen from 4 June
  3. The Bigger Picture for Istanbul Connectivity

Two new direct routes land on sale this month, making it easier to reach Türkiye from Scandinavia and Central Asia without a connection.

AJet: Stockholm Arlanda to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen from 2 June

Budget carrier AJet will operate a daily direct service between Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) starting 2 June 2026. The route was first trailed last summer and returns with a full daily frequency for the summer season, reducing the journey to around three and a half hours. Sabiha Gökçen sits on the Asian side of Istanbul and is well-connected to the city centre by metro and bus. Travellers flying in from Sweden will find the new schedule convenient for weekend breaks as well as longer stays.

Pegasus: Oral, Kazakhstan to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen from 4 June

Two days later, on 4 June, Pegasus Airlines will begin twice-weekly flights between Oral (URA) in western Kazakhstan and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen. The new service targets the significant Kazakh diaspora and tourism market, adding to the existing connections Pegasus operates across Central Asia. For travellers originating in Kazakhstan, the service provides a direct link to one of the world’s most visited cities without routing through Moscow or Dubai.

The Bigger Picture for Istanbul Connectivity

These launches form part of a broader push by Turkish carriers to widen Istanbul’s catchment ahead of a summer season that analysts expect to break records. Turkish Airlines has already expanded its Beijing and Hong Kong frequencies and launched a Stansted route earlier in the year. Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) together now connect to well over 300 destinations worldwide, making the city one of the most accessible in Europe and Asia.

For anyone planning a trip this summer, more choice of entry point tends to mean more competitive fares. We recommend checking both IST and SAW options when searching — the price gap between the two airports can be significant on some routes.

Our flights to Türkiye guide covers which airport suits which part of the country, and our full Istanbul travel guide has everything you need once you land. If you are planning to travel onward from the city, Cappadocia is one of the most popular domestic routes from Istanbul. Check our Turkey visa guide to make sure your entry documents are in order before you book.