A BUDGET airline is planning to launch new flights from the UK to a city named the best in Europe.
Pegasus Airlines will launch a service that runs three times a week from Bristol to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, this summer.
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The first flight will take off on July 8 between the UK city and Turkish city, and is already available to be booked.
The service will be year-round and enable inbound visitors to easily visit the local region, which could help boost regional tourism.
Dave Lees, chief executive at Bristol Airport, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Pegasus Airlines to Bristol Airport, which will open up an extensive range of destinations for onward travel to countries including Turkey, UAE and Saudi Arabia.
“It will also allow for more visitors to explore our local region, who would previously have visited the UK through London airports.
“This is good news for inbound tourism; for those who want to connect with family and friends; and for businesses in the South West and South Wales who have overseas interests.”
The airline will also provide onward connections to a number of other destinations including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, and Qatar, in addition to an extensive domestic flight network.
Kathryn Davis, chief executive of Visit West, the destination management organisation for the West of England, representing Bristol, Bath and North East, welcomed the additional airline service from Bristol Airport.
She said: “The visitor economy is critically important to the economic success of Bristol, Bath, and the wider West of England region.
“With Pegasus Airlines providing a year-round service, there will be opportunities for visitors to travel at different times of the year when there is often more capacity at attractions and hotels.
“This supports local businesses, particularly SMEs, local high streets and supports career opportunities.”
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport is located on the Asian side of Istanbul and is known for being a hub for onward connections to countries all over the world.
However, Istanbul itself straddles two continents – both Asia and Europe.
And Istanbul was even named the best city in Europe to visit by Travel + Leisure last year.
In December, budget airline, SunExpress, also launched a number of new routes to Turkey.
Starting this month, there will be a new route between Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Antalya and routes between Glasgow Airport and Antalya and Dalaman.
The airline is also planning to increases its operations at London Stansted Airport, where it will almost double the amount of weekly flights.
From next summer, the airline will operate 26 flights from London Stansted Airport per week.
Plus, Ryanair also launched its first-ever flights to Turkey from the UK last year.
Now the budget carrier has two new routes from London Stansted to Bodrum and Dalaman, in Turkey.
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