British passengers looking for some autumn sunshine in Turkey and North Cyprus, or to see family and friends now have more flight options. With Transport Secretary Grant Shapps moving Turkey to the United Kingdom’s Amber list on 22 September, demand for travel to Turkey has shot up.

Pegasus Airlines has reinstated direct flights between Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport and London Stansted. There are now two daily flights departing at 00:05 and 14:40 from London Stansted Airport, and returning from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 11:35 and 21:00 local time.  Flights are currently on sale from £49.99 one way.

Those in the north of England can fly to Istanbul via Manchester Airport, as Pegasus resumes five direct flights a week. Scheduled flights from Manchester leave at 12:50, with returning flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport departing at 09:45. Single route fares from Manchester starting from £74.99.

From 21 October, Pegasus Airlines’ expanded schedule will see five direct flights a week between London Stansted and Izmir, on Turkey’s Aegean coast, with tickets currently on sale from £59.99. Flights will depart at 12:55 from London, and with the return leg from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport leaving at 10:05. Prices start from £59.99.

Pegasus will be flying direct between London Stansted and Antalya too next month, with flights commencing on 20 October.

Istanbul routes offer excellent onward connections across Pegasus’ network of 83 international destinations in 44 countries, including North Cyprus, Dubai, and Sharm el-Sheikh, for transit passengers. There are also 36 destinations Pegasus flies to in Turkey, including Bodrum and Dalaman. These 119 locations are ideal for those wanting to see relatives, or simply to relax with some sun, sea and sand, and cultural sightseeing.

Pegasus Airlines Chief Commercial Officer, Güliz Özturk said: “In light of the new announcement putting Turkey back into the Amber list, we’re seeing strong growth in our bookings to Turkey from England. In response to this growing demand and desire for autumn travel, we’re delighted also to be expanding our flight programme from London Stansted and Manchester to Turkey, with excellent connections across our network of 119 destinations in 44 countries – meaning travellers will have a lot more choice with our flexible booking options this autumn and winter.”

“We’re planning to further increase the number of our flights from England later in the autumn if demand continues to rise, and we’re very much looking forward to welcoming our guests back on board as travel begins to reopen again,” Ms Özturk added.

Covid-19 measures

To combat the uncertainty during the Covid-19 pandemic, Pegasus is also offering flexible booking options, with guests able to amend flights booked up to 31 December 2021 without paying any change fees.

The airline also boasts comprehensive Covid-19 safety measures in place, including compulsory wearing of masks while on board aircraft.

Pegasus was one of the first low-cost airlines in the world to trial the IATA Travel Pass app, and also offers contactless boarding and bag-drop with Express Kiosks in Turkey.

 

Main photo, top, of a Pegasus 737-800 landing at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Aug. 2014. Photo © Alf van Beem, CC0 / Wikipedia