Azur Air is restarting direct charter flights from 13 Russian cities to Antalya for the 2026 summer season. Operations to be carried out with Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft will increase competition on the Türkiye tourism corridor.
The broadest post-pandemic reopening in tourism traffic
Russia-based charter operator Azur Air has decided to relaunch Antalya flights for the 2026 summer season through a multi-point network, marking a notable expansion on the Türkiye route.
Under the new plan, direct flights will be operated to Antalya from 13 different cities across the Russian Federation.
Flight network reshaped: direct Antalya connections from 13 cities
The restructured route network offers a wide geographical spread covering various regions of Russia. In addition to hubs such as Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod, the programme also includes destinations from the Volga, Ural, Siberian and northern regions.
The cities highlighted in the flight schedule are as follows:
- Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Samara, Ulyanovsk, Yekaterinburg, Perm, Tyumen, Surgut, Novosibirsk, Arkhangelsk, Syktyvkar and Orenburg.
Regional cities reconnect directly to the Mediterranean
One of the most notable aspects of the new operation is the reintroduction of cities that have not had direct flights to Antalya for a long time.
The resumption of flights from Ulyanovsk for the first time since 2019, and the reconnection of cities such as Arkhangelsk, Orenburg and Syktyvkar to Antalya after 2021, indicates that regional demand is being restructured.
Charter model: intensive sales through tour operators
Tour operators play a decisive role in Azur Air’s capacity planning. In the 2026 season, the majority of seat blocks will be offered for sale through Russian tour companies.
Key partners include Anex Tour and Intourist.
Direct charter advantage: cost and accessibility balance
The main advantage of the charter model is its lower cost compared to scheduled flights with connections. Especially for passengers living in cities such as Surgut or Syktyvkar, the elimination of the need to transit via Moscow creates significant cost savings at a family level.
According to sector estimates, this model can provide savings of between 30,000 and 50,000 rubles on certain routes.
Aircraft fleet: high capacity with Boeing 757 and 767
Long-haul Boeing 767 and medium-haul Boeing 757 aircraft will be used in the operations.
The wide-body structure, thanks to its high passenger capacity, enhances the sustainability of charter operations, particularly during the busy summer season.
On the other hand, due to the low-cost operational model, narrower seat pitch and a basic service structure are among the most frequently mentioned aspects in terms of passenger experience.
Summer season competition intensifies on the Türkiye route
The Antalya route continues to be one of the most in-demand destinations in Russia-origin tourism traffic. Azur Air’s expanded flight plan will reshape competition in the Türkiye market during the 2026 summer season.
