Aarhus Airport is set to become the departure point for leisure travelers seeking the warm sun of Türkiye, thanks to Pegasus Airlines, which will commence direct flights to Antalya from May 9, 2025. This inaugural route marks the airline's first venture serving the residents of East Jutland, and it's already capturing attention as one of Denmark's highly sought-after holiday connections.
The introduction of this route is particularly significant for the over 1.3 million residents living within the Aarhus region. Currently, many of these travelers are forced to navigate to major hubs like Copenhagen or Hamburg to reach the popular Turkish Riviera. The establishment of this direct connection not only meets the tourism demand but also recognizes the significant community of over 11,000 residents of Turkish descent, providing them with direct access to visit family and friends.
According to Lotta Sandsgaard, CEO of Aarhus Airport, "It is a great pleasure to present Pegasus Airlines at Aarhus Airport. This direct connection to Antalya has been in high demand by tour operators, holidaymakers, and residents with Turkish roots. We expect the route to be warmly welcomed by the Aarhus region.”
The route to Antalya will operate twice weekly, with scheduled flights every Monday and Friday, perfectly aligning with the travel habits of the local passenger demographic. The service aims to cater not just to holidaymakers but to facilitate cultural exchanges within the community, enhancing familial connectivity between Denmark and Türkiye.
This new service is seen as important both for tourism and as part of social integration, fostering continuing cultural ties among communities. Pegasus Airlines, known for its cost-effective and quality service, is expected to draw significant patronage from residents craving shorter travel times and greater convenience.
Remarkably, this initiative follows the successful completion of the Routes Europe development conference held earlier this month, which showcased Aarhus as an attractive travel destination for potential airlines and revealed significant demand for enhanced services between Denmark and Türkiye.
Sandsgaard elaborated on the importance of accessibility, stating, "Data shows great untapped potential to increase accessibility to Turkey for the population of East Jutland. We look forward to a long-term partnership with Pegasus Airlines, focusing on future growth." This sentiment reflects the airport’s expectations of sustained passenger growth due to this newly established route.
The excitement is palpable among travel agencies and local tourism operators, who anticipate increased tourist inflow to Türkiye. Sunnier destinations like Antalya are widely regarded as appealing getaways for sun-seeking Danes, often synonymous with holiday relaxation and enjoyment.
By cutting down travel time significantly, this new service has the potential to render Aarhus Airport the preferred choice for many travelers, who previously faced unnecessary detours. The expectation is for this new venture to cultivate not just increased tourism for Türkiye but also to catalyze local economic boosts through greater passenger traffic.
This endeavor is anticipated to strengthen the bond between Denmark and Türkiye, inviting residents to explore new cultural experiences, family interactions, and tourism opportunities within the region. The added connectivity opens numerous travel options extending beyond Antalya, enabling passengers to access more diverse destinations within Central Asia and the Middle East.
Overall, the community is brimming with enthusiasm over the new route and the prospects it brings, aligning with the aim of Aarhus Airport to broaden its range of international services and make it increasingly accessible to local travelers.
With Pegasus Airlines' entry to Aarhus Airport, the future looks bright for travel enthusiasts eager to explore the vibrant Turkish Riviera and beyond, ensuring they can do so directly and conveniently from their local airport.