AJet expands footprint with new direct Ankara-St. Petersburg route

Türkiye's low-cost carrier AJet has expanded its operations in the Russian market with the launch of a new direct route connecting Ankara and St. Petersburg. The inaugural flight, celebrated at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport, signifies a growing link between the two nations' tourism sectors.

The new route will operate five times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, facilitating travel between Ankara Esenboğa Airport and Pulkovo Airport. This addition complements AJet's existing Russian network, which includes daily flights from Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as daily services from Ankara to Moscow.

Russia's e-visa program for Turkish citizens and visa-free travel for holders of special Turkish passports are expected to boost tourism to St. Petersburg, Russia's cultural hub. In 2025, Türkiye hosted nearly 7 million Russian tourists, while approximately 70,000 Turkish citizens visited Russia. St. Petersburg officials are actively working to attract more Turkish visitors, aiming to rival Moscow as a top destination.

Since its first flight on March 31, 2024, AJet, a wholly owned subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, has demonstrated rapid growth. The airline now serves 100 destinations, including 39 domestic and 61 international routes across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. AJet also operates as the leading international carrier from Ankara, connecting Esenboğa Airport to 32 destinations in 24 countries.