Aeroflot, Russia's flagship airline, has announced plans to increase the frequency of its flights from Moscow to Istanbul from six to seven per day, starting May 23, 2025. This change is set to be implemented with the introduction of the new evening flight, designated as SU 2170/2171, which will bolster the daily offerings.
According to Aeroflot, "With the addition of flight SU 2170, the airline will operate up to seven flights per day." This increase aims to cater to the rising demand for travel between Moscow and Istanbul, making it even more convenient for passengers traveling for both business and leisure.
The newly scheduled flight will depart from Sheremetyevo at 23:05, providing travelers with the flexibility to choose flights at various times. Passengers can opt for the earliest flight at 07:10 or the latest at 23:25. Aeroflot emphasized the importance of this variability, stating, "Passengers can choose from flights departing as early as 07:10 in the morning and as late as 23:25," allowing for seamless connections to other destinations.
Notably, the Moscow-Istanbul route has been deemed the most popular within Aeroflot's international network, having transported over 678,000 passengers during 2024. This figure exemplifies a 9% increase over the 2023 passenger counts, highlighting the growing trend of travelers heading to Istanbul.
Alongside Aeroflot, other airlines within the Aeroflot group, such as Pobeda and Rossiya, will also be facilitating flights to Istanbul from Moscow. "Besides Aeroflot, other members of the Aeroflot group, such as Pobeda and Rossiya, also fly to Istanbul from Moscow," the airline noted, reinforcing the collective effort to maintain consistent connectivity to the major Turkish city.
Rossiya is reported to offer up to six flights daily from Sheremetyevo, catering to the increasing interest among tourists. Meanwhile, Pobeda operates from Vnukovo with up to two daily flights, echoing the high travel demand.
By the busy travel month of April, combined flights from various airlines are poised to result in up to 27 flights per day from Moscow to Istanbul. This includes offerings from not only Aeroflot but also Turkish Airlines, A-Jet, Pegasus Airlines, and S7 Airlines, among others.
With such considerable frequency, travelers will find diverse options for visiting Istanbul, which has increasingly become one of the favored destinations for Russian passengers. The connectivity continues to improve, with flights from seven cities across Russia contributing to the heightened passenger volume, offering routes departing from Koltsovo, Saint Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan, Vladikavkaz, and Makhachkala.
To attract more customers, Aeroflot is currently running promotional discounts on many of its Russian and international routes. The airline has announced substantial discounts of up to 30%, applicable from March 13 to May 31, 2025, fostering more accessible travel to destinations like Istanbul and Sochi. "Aeroflot is offering discounts on many Russian and international routes from 2025-03-13 to 2025-05-31 of up to 30%," the airline remarked.
The upcoming summer season is projected to be advantageous for Aeroflot, considering the planned implementation of 49 flights weekly between Moscow and Istanbul. This strategy signifies the airline's commitment to enhancing its service and meeting consumers' travel needs. With the anticipated growth, the airline will aim to increase transport volume along this route by 17% compared to last year.
Overall, the changes implemented by Aeroflot reflect their adaptive strategies to cater to the demands of flying public, maintaining their status as the leading airline provider. These developments signal Aeroflot's fortitude and resolve to remain competitive within the aviation market, especially concerning flights to and from Istanbul, one of the busiest travel routes for Aeroflot and its affiliates.