İGA Istanbul Airport, one of the world’s premier global aviation hubs, is preparing to welcome its first airline from the Americas. Air Transat—Canada’s second-largest airline and winner of the “World’s Best Leisure Airline” title at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards—will begin direct flights between Toronto and Istanbul on December 6.
The non-stop service will operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, connecting two major global cities with growing cultural and commercial ties.
Following Türkiye’s 2024 visa waiver for Canadian citizens, this new route is expected to significantly boost both tourism and business travel, enhancing İstanbul’s position as a key destination and transit hub in Eurasia.
According to the 2025 Airport Industry Connectivity Report published by Airports Council International – Europe (ACI Europe), İGA Istanbul Airport has been ranked the “Global Leader” in total connectivity and for the second consecutive year named the most connected airport in Europe for direct connectivity. The new partnership with Air Transat strengthens this expanding network even further.
Headquartered in Canada, Air Transat operates a fleet of 44 modern aircraft, flying to 62 destinations across 29 countries, including Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, and the United States. With its expanding destination network, Air Transat aims to reinforce intercontinental connectivity. By adding Türkiye to its global network through İGA Istanbul Airport, the airline further cements Istanbul’s role as a world-class global hub.
