Turkish Airlines, a major European carrier serving multiple UK airports, has announced the suspension of 18 international routes starting next month. The changes, effective between May and June 2026, will disrupt travel plans for passengers flying from Istanbul Airport (IST) to destinations across Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
Affected Routes and Timeline
The suspended destinations include Juba, Kinshasa, Luanda, Lusaka, Aqaba, Billund, Bissau, Ferghana, Freetown, Havana, Hurghada, Kirkuk, Leipzig/Halle, Libreville, Monrovia, Najaf, Pointe Noire, and Turkistan. While some routes may resume by late October 2026, others could remain suspended until March 2027.
Strategic Review and Demand Decline
The airline attributes these suspensions to a strategic review, citing reduced demand for lesser-known destinations. However, high-demand routes, including those to Istanbul itself, remain unaffected. Turkish Airlines continues to operate flights to London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.
Impact on Travel and Tourism
The suspension of these 18 routes may negatively impact tourism in the affected countries and limit options for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations. Additionally, due to the Middle East conflict, Turkish Airlines has extended suspensions of flights to several Iranian cities—Isfahan, Mashhad, Shiraz, and Tabriz—until the end of October 2026.
Expansion in the UK
In contrast, Turkish Airlines expanded its UK network in March 2026 by adding London Stansted as its third London gateway. This move offers British travelers access to over 350 destinations in 133 countries. During the summer, the airline plans to operate 168 weekly flights to and from the UK and Ireland.
Fuat Fırat, Turkish Airlines Vice President Sales for Middle and Northern Europe, stated: "The United Kingdom continues to be one of the key strategic markets for Turkish Airlines. With the addition of London Stansted flights, we are pleased to expand our presence in London to a third airport, further strengthening London Stansted’s connectivity and offering our guests greater flexibility to access our unparalleled global network. We believe this new route will not only meet regional demand but also contribute to both commercial and tourism activity across the region."
