Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Turkey’s second-largest airport, has broadened its global network with the inauguration of a new route to Kuala Lumpur, the bustling capital of Malaysia.
This expansion is marked by the commencement of services by Batik Air Malaysia, which will operate four weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) using Airbus A330 aircraft.
This new service, which began yesterday, has been recorded as the airport’s first long-haul flight, symbolizing a significant milestone in its history.
The arrival of the first Batik Air flight from Malaysia was celebrated with a traditional water cannon salute, and passengers were greeted with flowers and Turkish delight at the terminal, adding a touch of local hospitality to their warm welcome.
Bridging Cultures and Continents
The direct flight, taking approximately 10 hours and 50 minutes connects Kuala Lumpur, a city known for its vibrant culture and financial prowess, with Istanbul, a city rich in historical significance, architectural marvels, and cultural heritage.
This route not only facilitates easier and more affordable travel for business and leisure purposes but also strengthens the ties between Southeast Asia and Turkey.
Passengers flying from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul will have the opportunity to explore not just Istanbul but also other tourist attractions in Turkey such as Izmir, Antalya, Muğla, Cappadocia, and Mardin.
This new route offers passengers the convenience of connecting to Europe via Sabiha Gökçen and provides easier, faster, and more affordable access to Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Australia for those landing in Kuala Lumpur.
Conversely, travelers departing from Istanbul can enjoy direct flights to Malaysia and onward connections to other popular destinations such as Jakarta, Bali, Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket, Tokyo, Seoul, and Perth, facilitating a more comfortable and convenient journey.
Flight Schedule and Connectivity
The Kuala Lumpur-bound flight will depart every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 16:50, arriving in Istanbul at 22:45 local time. On Sundays, the flight will leave at 20:00 and reach Istanbul at 01:55.
Return flights from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Kuala Lumpur are scheduled for Monday at 05:00, arriving at 20:50, with additional flights on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday departing at 12:05 and arriving at 15:55.
Sabiha Gökçen Among Europe’s Top 10 Airports
According to the 2023 traffic report by the Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe), Sabiha Gökçen Airport is ranked among the top 10 busiest airports in Europe.
Last year, the airport also broke its all-time passenger traffic record, serving 37.1 million passengers in 2023 and surpassing its historical peak performance in 2019.
With the recent opening of its second runway, the airport is expected to double its capacity, currently connecting 163 destinations across 54 countries, further enhancing its role as a major hub in the region.
