Scandinavian Airlines has launched daily direct flights between Copenhagen and Istanbul, adding new momentum to iGA Istanbul Airport’s efforts to broaden its international airline and destination network.
The route began on Friday, 27 March, and is operated by Airbus A320neo aircraft configured with 180 seats. The new service is expected to improve accessibility between Türkiye and the Scandinavian region while supporting both tourism and trade flows.
For iGA Istanbul Airport, the arrival of SAS is another strategic step in strengthening its footprint in Northern Europe. The airport said the partnership responds to growing travel demand between Scandinavia and Türkiye and supports Istanbul’s position as one of the world’s most connected air hubs.
Server Aydın, chief commercial officer at iGA Istanbul Airport, said the addition of Scandinavia’s flag carrier represented an important milestone in the airport’s sustainable growth strategy. He said stronger links with Northern Europe would deepen both economic and cultural ties while reinforcing Istanbul’s role as a global meeting point.
From the airline side, SAS said the route fits into its broader network ambitions centred on Copenhagen. Henrik Winell, vice president of network at the carrier, said aviation remains vital for connecting people, businesses and societies, and described the new Istanbul service as an important move in strengthening links between Scandinavia and Türkiye while continuing to build SAS’s Copenhagen hub.
Beyond simple point-to-point travel, the daily operation is also designed to improve flexibility and onward connectivity for passengers using both hubs. iGA Istanbul Airport said it would continue to pursue new routes and strategic partnerships in support of its ambition to be a leading global hub connecting continents, markets and travellers.
