Pegasus Airlines has announced the launch of direct flights connecting Istanbul and Bilbao, expanding its European network with a new route linking Turkey’s largest city to Spain’s Basque Country.
The inaugural service begins on December 1, offering one of the first low-cost options between the two destinations with fares starting from €69.99.
The new Istanbul–Bilbao route reflects Pegasus’s ongoing growth strategy in Western Europe, adding another cultural and business hub to its expanding list of destinations. The airline will operate the service from its base at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to Bilbao Airport (BIO), located near Spain’s northern coast, a region known for its cuisine, architecture, and art scene. According to Pegasus, bookings are available through its website and mobile app, with introductory fares promoted in earlier campaigns now sold out.
Connecting Istanbul to Spain’s Basque Region
The new connection strengthens Pegasus’s footprint in Spain, joining existing services to Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville. The addition of Bilbao, a city often described as the cultural gateway to northern Spain, enhances access to one of Europe’s most dynamic tourism and business regions. The airline said the route aims to meet growing demand for leisure and trade travel between Turkey and Spain.
Bilbao, home to the iconic Guggenheim Museum and renowned for its gastronomy, has positioned itself as a leading European city for cultural tourism. Pegasus highlighted the route’s potential to attract Turkish travelers seeking new cultural destinations, while also catering to inbound tourism from Spain to Turkey’s diverse holiday and historical sites. Industry observers note that the route could also appeal to connecting passengers traveling through Istanbul to destinations across the Middle East and Asia via Pegasus’s network.
The Istanbul–Bilbao flight will operate directly from Sabiha Gökçen, Pegasus’s primary hub for European and regional routes. The scheduled flight time is expected to be approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes, offering travelers a non-stop link between the two cities. Several travel platforms, including Trip.com and Airpaz, have already listed the route, showing departures around mid-morning from Istanbul and afternoon arrivals in Bilbao.
Operated by Modern Airbus neo Aircraft
Pegasus is expected to operate the new route using its Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft, which form the core of its fleet. The airline currently operates a young fleet of more than 110 aircraft, including 46 Airbus A320neo and 60 Airbus A321neo models. These aircraft are designed to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and provide additional range for medium-haul routes across Europe and North Africa.
According to fleet data published by Pegasus Investor Relations, the carrier’s average aircraft age is around 4.5 years, making it one of the youngest fleets in Europe. The Airbus A321neo, with its extended range and larger seating capacity, is particularly well suited for the Istanbul–Bilbao sector, which spans approximately 2,800 kilometers. Pegasus’s other aircraft, including the A320neo, may also be deployed depending on seasonal demand and scheduling.
Pegasus lists four weekly flights on the Istanbul–Bilbao route, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, according to the airline’s booking system. The airline’s low-cost model, combined with the appeal of both Istanbul and Bilbao as tourism and cultural destinations, is anticipated to stimulate demand on both ends of the route.
Expanding European Network and Passenger Options
The new Bilbao service forms part of Pegasus Airlines’ broader strategy to expand its presence across Europe. In recent years, the carrier has opened routes to destinations such as Milan, Prague, Warsaw, and Dublin, aligning with its goal of connecting Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen with major and emerging European markets. The airline also continues to increase frequencies on popular routes to meet the post-pandemic recovery in travel demand.
In its most recent communications, Pegasus has positioned itself as a bridge between East and West, emphasizing its Istanbul hub’s role as a connecting point for travelers from Asia and the Middle East to Europe. The addition of Bilbao extends that strategy by linking Turkey directly with a new region of Spain that is experiencing steady tourism and investment growth. Pegasus’s entry into the market also introduces low-cost competition on a route previously dominated by full-service carriers through indirect connections. The carrier increased its Istanbul – Seville service to daily in March 2025, reflecting growing demand for travel between Turkey and southern Spain. However, Valencia—Spain’s third-largest city—remains unserved by Pegasus, with nonstop Istanbul–Valencia flights currently operated only by Turkish Airlines. Pegasus has not announced plans to launch Valencia at this time.
Bilbao Airport, one of northern Spain’s busiest air gateways, handled over 5 million passengers in 2024, marking a strong rebound in international travel. The airport’s connectivity with European destinations continues to expand, and the new Istanbul link further integrates the Basque region into broader Eurasian travel networks.
Pegasus Airlines, founded in 1990, operates as Turkey’s leading low-cost carrier and one of Europe’s fastest-growing budget airlines. With a route network that covers more than 130 destinations across 50 countries, Pegasus continues to focus on efficiency, digital booking channels, and environmental responsibility through fleet modernization. The airline’s fleet renewal program and investment in neo aircraft are expected to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 15% per flight compared with previous models.
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