Air Cairo Launches Flights to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport

Egypt-based airline Air Cairo has initiated its inaugural flight to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (ISG), marking a significant new connection between the two countries. The airline announced that it will operate two weekly flights on this route, utilizing the 109-seat Embraer E-190 LR aircraft, with services scheduled for Thursdays and Sundays.

This route addition positions ISG as the fifth company to operate on the Cairo (CAI) line following Pegasus, AJet, and Nile Air, and is part of a broader initiative to enhance cultural and historic ties between Egypt and Turkey. Air Cairo's service is expected to bring an additional 13,000 passengers to the airport for the remainder of the year.

The Cairo to Istanbul service not only connects two cities rich in history and culture but also strengthens the ties between Egypt and Turkey. Cairo, a city renowned for its vast historical and cultural heritage, has been a part of the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1979 and is a major tourist destination featuring the Cairo Museum, the Pyramids area, and the Nile River surroundings.

Kerem Maybek, Acting CEO of Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport, emphasized the impact of last year’s strategic cooperation agreement between Turkey and Egypt, highlighting the door-to-door visa facility for Turkish citizens which has significantly improved bilateral relations. "Compared to April 2023, we observed a 57% increase in the number of passengers traveling to Egypt in April 2024, rising from 35,000 to 55,000. We aim to further increase these numbers with our new line, Air Cairo," said Maybek. "We are proud to strengthen the strategic connections between the two countries through Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport."

The introduction of Air Cairo's flights is poised to make substantial economic and cultural contributions to both Istanbul and Cairo, further cementing the strategic ties between the two cities.