Turkish Airlines (THY) and its subsidiary AJet are offering extensive support to the “Island Cyprus” project, which aims to promote, brand, and strengthen the international tourism presence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). THY and AJet Chairman of the Board, Ahmet Bolat, announced that approximately 100,000 tourists have travelled to the TRNC on 550 flights since the project’s launch on 7 July.
Targeting 1.5 Million Tourists by the End of the Year
Bolat described the results from the project’s first month as encouraging:
“Our goal is to bring 1.5 million tourists to Northern Cyprus by the end of the year. This project is also a reflection of the strong ties between Turkey and the TRNC,” he said.
200 Weekly Flights Provide Access from All Over Türkiye to the TRNC
Bolat noted that THY, AJet, and SunExpress (a member of the THY ecosystem) currently operate a total of 200 flights per week to the TRNC.
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THY: 70 weekly flights from Istanbul and Antalya
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AJet: 89 weekly flights from Sabiha Gökçen, Esenboğa, and Çukurova Airports
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SunExpress: 41 weekly flights from Antalya, Izmir, and Çukurova Airports
60 TRNC Youth Employed by AJet, Aircraft Featuring Island Cyprus Branding
Bolat emphasised that the “Island Cyprus” project goes beyond tourism to include employment and social responsibility initiatives:
“We have so far employed 60 young people from the TRNC within AJet. In addition, two of our aircraft featuring the Island Cyprus logo are now serving as the project’s ambassadors,” he said.
London Launch: An International Push for TRNC Tourism
To promote the project on a global scale, Bolat announced a promotional event in London on Monday, 4 August.
The launch will be hosted by the TRNC Presidency, with the participation of THY and AJet executives, and representatives from the Turkish Service Exporters’ Association.
Bolat added:
“We will offer special discounted fares for AJet flights from London to the TRNC—return tickets will cost £250. With connecting flights via Istanbul, we aim to establish a permanent air bridge between the TRNC and Europe.”
50% Discount for Families of Martyrs, Upcoming Family Campaign for Students
Bolat stated that THY had signed a “Veterans and Families of Martyrs Protocol” with TRNC authorities as part of its social responsibility efforts.
“We are offering 50% discounted tickets to approximately 30,000 veterans and families of martyrs. We will soon launch a discounted ticket campaign for families of students studying in the TRNC,” he said.
“We Will Elevate TRNC to Its Rightful Place in Tourism”
Bolat concluded by underlining that the project is more than just a marketing initiative:
“We don’t see the TRNC simply as a destination. We want to promote the island’s unique culture, historical heritage, natural beauty, and rich gastronomy on the international stage—where it truly belongs.”
