Turkish Airlines Returns to London-Stansted in 2026

Turkish Airlines has officially announced the launch of a new direct service between London-Stansted Airport (STN) and Istanbul Airport (IST), set to begin on March 18, 2026. The new route marks the airline’s return to Stansted after more than 15 years and expands its UK network to a sixth departure point, further strengthening its position as a key global connector between the British Isles and its vast international network.

The service will initially operate ten times weekly before increasing to 14 flights per week on March 29, 2026, with the start of the IATA summer season. Flights are expected to be operated by Airbus A321 aircraft, offering passengers additional flexibility when flying to Turkey or connecting through Istanbul to destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Turkish Airlines now serves seven airports across the UK and Ireland: London-Heathrow, London Gatwick, London-Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Dublin. Once the Stansted route goes daily, the airline will operate 170 flights per week between the UK, Ireland, and Turkey during the 2026 summer peak. This includes 47 weekly flights from Heathrow, 28 from Gatwick and Manchester, 18 from Birmingham, 14 each from Stansted and Edinburgh, and 21 from Dublin.

The move comes as London-Stansted undergoes a major £1.1 billion ($1.52 billion) expansion project. The airport’s terminal is being redeveloped to increase annual capacity to 51 million passengers. Improvements include enhanced check-in areas, upgraded security, new lounges, and expanded retail and dining options. The investment is expected to generate £2 billion annually for the UK economy and create up to 5,000 new jobs.

This will be Turkish Airlines’ first return to Stansted since it last served the airport between 2005 and 2009, when flights operated to the now-closed Atatürk Airport in Istanbul. The airline’s low-cost subsidiary, AJet, already operates from Stansted, and Turkish Cargo has maintained a long-standing presence with regular A330F cargo flights.

Stansted’s connectivity continues to grow with recent additions including a new Royal Air Maroc service to Casablanca and the airport’s refreshed brand identity, unveiled in June 2025. As the airport sets new passenger records, Turkish Airlines’ return is expected to further enhance its international profile and support Stansted’s long-term expansion goals.

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