By 
The Core Development
Air Transat has announced a new nonstop flight connection linking Montreal and Istanbul. Scheduled to commence on October 29, 2026, the service will operate year-round, utilizing Airbus A330 aircraft. Flights are scheduled twice weekly, departing on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This route complements the airline's existing Toronto–Istanbul operation, providing a secondary Canadian gateway to Türkiye. While Istanbul serves as the primary arrival point, the strategic goal is to facilitate onward travel to regional destinations, including Cappadocia, Antalya, Izmir, Pamukkale, and Ankara.
Key Facts Breakdown
- Route: Montreal (YUL) to Istanbul (IST).
- Launch Date: October 29, 2026.
- Frequency: Twice weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays).
- Aircraft: Airbus A330.
- Existing Connectivity: Toronto–Istanbul service remains active.
- Primary Objectives: Increase Canadian visitor flow to regional Turkish provinces and leverage Istanbul's international onward network.
Türkiye Tourism Performance Data
Five-Year National Visitor Trends
| Year | Visitors | Annual Change | Tourism Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 30.04 million | +88.08% | International travel recovery |
| 2022 | 51.39 million | +71.06% | Strong reopening and recovery |
| 2023 | 56.69 million | +10.3% | Continued international demand |
| 2024 | 62.27 million | +9.8% | New national visitor record |
| 2025 | 63.92 million | +2.7% | Further expansion of tourism activity |
Istanbul Specific Arrival Data
| Year | Foreign Visitors to Istanbul | Change from Previous Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,025,004 | — |
| 2022 | 16,018,726 | +77.5% |
| 2023 | 17,370,030 | +8.4% |
| 2024 | 18,582,322 | +7.0% |
Economic Indicators (2024-2025)
- 2024 Income: US$61.1 billion.
- 2024 Average Spend: US$972 per visitor.
- 2024 Volume: 83.2 million arrivals at accommodation facilities; 216 million overnight stays.
- 2025 Income: US$65.23 billion.
- 2025 Average Spend: US$1,008 per visitor.
- 2025 Daily Spend: Approximately US$100.
Why This Matters
From a logistical perspective, the addition of a Montreal gateway reduces the reliance on Toronto as the sole Canadian hub for Türkiye. For travelers, this means a significant reduction in connection times and a more streamlined entry point into the Mediterranean basin.
Our analysis of the visitor data indicates a shift in Turkish tourism from sheer volume to value. The increase in average expenditure—from US$972 in 2024 to US$1,008 in 2025—suggests that Türkiye is successfully attracting higher-spending demographics. By opening a direct line from Montreal, Air Transat is positioning itself to capture this higher-yield market in Quebec.
Furthermore, the use of the Airbus A330 on a twice-weekly schedule suggests a calculated approach to capacity, ensuring high load factors while testing the demand for non-stop transatlantic travel from Eastern Canada.
Industry Outlook
Expect a surge in "multi-city" itinerary bookings. With Istanbul acting as the anchor, the industry will likely see an increase in domestic Turkish flight bookings from Canadian tourists heading to Cappadocia and the coast. Market trends suggest that as the Montreal route stabilizes, there may be further pressure to increase frequency beyond twice weekly if the US$1,000+ per visitor spending trend continues to hold.
