NEWS FLASH
Pegasus Airlines commenced flights between Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport and Ljubljana today with ceremonies held at both airports to the mark the occasion. The new route will be maintained three times per week and faces no direct competition, although Turkish Airlines operates between Istanbul’s main airport and the Slovenian capital.
Commenting on the occasion, the CEO of Pegasus Airlines, Guliz Ozturk, said, “At Pegasus, we don’t just see aviation as a transportation service. We work to transform the journey into an accessible, digital and customer-centric experience. Therefore, the launch of direct flights to Ljubljana is an important step in this journey. Both Ljubljana and Istanbul are very beautiful cities. This new route will be a good destination for both Turkish and Slovenian tourists”.
The Slovenian Ambassador to Turkey, Gorazd Renčelj, added, “A new airline is not just a means of travel, but also a way to connect people. Turks hold a special place in the hearts of the Slovenian people, and I think this is a reciprocal situation. Therefore, I have no doubt that the planes will be full. I think we will have a very beautiful story for both countries, the airline and this airport. I have personally witnessed the excitement this news has generated among Slovenian citizens living in Istanbul and other parts of Turkey. The new route creates a new opportunity for those who want to experience Istanbul, Turkey, or see Ljubljana”.
The CEO of airport operator Fraport Slovenija, Babett Stapel, said, “Following an exceptionally successful year in 2025, during which we handled almost 1.6 million passengers, Ljubljana Airport is entering the new year with strong momentum. The many planned enhancements in 2026 show that Ljubljana Airport is becoming an increasingly competitive, attractive and reliable gateway for air travel. One of these is today’s arrival of a new carrier, Pegasus Airlines, which is an important addition for our passengers and further proof of the appeal of the Slovenian market. We are confident the new service will further strengthen economic and tourism ties between Slovenia and Turkey”.