Pegasus Airlines to end Istanbul-Tuzla flight service

Pegasus Airlines is scheduled to end its service between Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport and Tuzla International Airport, with the final flight set for October 23. Although the airline had initially planned to operate the route once weekly during the 2026/27 winter season using an Airbus A321, ticket sales for the upcoming summer season have been suspended.

This departure follows AJet’s withdrawal from the same route in June, leaving Wizz Air as the sole scheduled airline serving Tuzla during the winter months. The airline exit occurs despite a significant surge in passenger traffic at Tuzla Airport, which handled 502,744 passengers in the first three quarters of the year—more than double the 251,332 recorded during the same period in 2025.

The airport's recovery has been supported by a subsidy program managed by the Tuzla Canton Tourist Board, which includes a contract with Wizz Air and approximately 614,000 euros in funding for 2026. Following negotiations, the Tuzla Canton government ordered an audit to evaluate the effectiveness of these subsidies in supporting tourism and connectivity. The government has accepted the audit report and intends to use its findings to adjust the subsidy model, though specific conclusions and revised terms have not yet been released.