Turkish Airlines on Wednesday (18 March) commenced flights between Istanbul and London Stansted Airport, which marks the carrier’s third gateway into London.
Flights on the new route, first announced last July, will operate 15 times weekly.
With the addition of Stansted, Turkish Airlines will serve six UK airports with flights to London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh. The carrier also operates flights to Dublin, Ireland.
Turkish Airlines vice president of sales for middle and northern Europe, Fuat Fırat, said: “The United Kingdom continues to be one of the key strategic markets for Turkish Airlines. We believe this new route will not only meet regional demand but also contribute to both commercial and tourism activity across the region.”
Ciaran Brannigan, commercial director at London Stansted, described the new service as "a significant step forward" for the airport and the region it serves.
“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,” he said.
Stansted, which is part of Manchester Airports Group (MAG), last June applied to extend its passenger limit to 51 million per year as part of ambitious expansion plans.