Pegasus Airlines has launched flights from Istanbul Airport to Ercan Airport in Northern Cyprus, adding a new route to its network.
The service, which began with a single daily frequency, will increase to two daily flights from October 23, offering 14 weekly connections between Istanbul and Northern Cyprus.
The airline operated its first Istanbul–Ercan flight this week and confirmed that schedules will gradually expand to accommodate demand. The launch further strengthens Pegasus’s presence at Istanbul Airport and enhances travel options between Turkey and Northern Cyprus, a key market for both tourism and business travel.
Flight Schedule and Expansion Plans
According to Pegasus Airlines, until October 22, flights from Ercan to Istanbul Airport are scheduled to depart at 17:45, while flights from Istanbul to Ercan depart at 20:25. From October 23 to 25, services will increase to two daily flights, with departures from Ercan at 09:00 and 17:45 and from Istanbul at 11:40 and 20:25.
Between October 26 and March 28, 2026, the permanent schedule will offer two flights daily in each direction. Departures from Ercan to Istanbul Airport will be at 09:05 and 20:10, while flights from Istanbul to Ercan will operate at 07:45 and 18:30. The expansion to 14 weekly flights underscores Pegasus’s commitment to meeting passenger demand for flexible and frequent travel between Turkey and Northern Cyprus.
The airline highlighted that the route provides travelers with enhanced flexibility, comfort, and accessible travel opportunities. The move also consolidates Istanbul Airport’s role as a strategic hub for Pegasus Airlines, expanding its connections across the region and internationally.
In a statement, Onur Dedeköylü, Chief Commercial Officer of Pegasus Airlines, said the new service was a significant milestone in the airline’s expansion strategy. “With the addition of Istanbul Airport, we have strengthened our presence and are offering our guests greater flexibility and easier access to both Istanbul and Northern Cyprus. With this development, Pegasus becomes the airline with the most flights between Turkey and Northern Cyprus, serving from 11 different points. We will continue to strengthen this important role in transportation and support Northern Cyprus’s tourism growth,” said Dedeköylü.
Server Aydın, Deputy Chief Commercial Officer of IGA Istanbul Airport, welcomed the launch of the new route. “We are very pleased that Pegasus Airlines has started flights to Northern Cyprus. Following the addition of Izmir services, this new route contributes both to the expansion of Pegasus’s network and to the consolidation of Istanbul Airport as a regional and global transfer hub. We wish Pegasus continued success and hope to see further network growth and increased frequencies in the coming period,” said Aydın.
The partnership between Pegasus and IGA Istanbul Airport highlights the airport’s growing role in regional connectivity. By adding Northern Cyprus to its list of destinations from Istanbul Airport, Pegasus is also responding to market demand for increased capacity on the Turkey–Northern Cyprus corridor, which remains one of the busiest and most strategic short-haul routes in the region.
The launch of the Istanbul–Ercan service positions Pegasus to serve both business and leisure travelers. Northern Cyprus has long been a popular tourism destination for Turkish travelers and an important market for bilateral economic and cultural ties. The increased frequencies also align with the broader growth trend in Turkey’s aviation sector, which continues to recover and expand following the challenges faced in previous years.
Pegasus emphasized that its strategy involves expanding its flight network while maintaining affordable pricing and operational efficiency. With Istanbul Airport now included among its departure points to Northern Cyprus, Pegasus offers passengers improved connectivity, integrating the new route with its wider European and Middle Eastern network. The airline also noted that the move complements its role as the Turkish carrier with the highest number of flights between Turkey and Northern Cyprus.
The new route is expected to generate additional passenger traffic through Istanbul Airport, supporting IGA’s efforts to position the facility as a leading global transfer hub. As competition intensifies among airlines in the region, Pegasus is using its low-cost model and frequent services to attract travelers who value both convenience and affordability.
By expanding its network to include Istanbul Airport–Ercan flights, Pegasus Airlines is strengthening its role in connecting Turkey and Northern Cyprus. The route not only enhances travel options for passengers but also reflects ongoing growth in Turkey’s aviation market, where carriers are seeking to expand capacity and build resilience. With double daily flights scheduled through the winter season, Pegasus aims to meet sustained demand and contribute to the development of Northern Cyprus as a tourism and business destination.
