EasyJet has announced significant changes to its 2026 flight program. The British low-cost airline has decided to halt flights from Bristol and Manchester to Istanbul Airport starting in March 2026 due to lower-than-expected demand and the influence of strong competitors like Turkish Airlines (THY) and Pegasus.
Istanbul Routes Closing, New European Routes Launching
Currently, EasyJet operates three weekly flights from Bristol and Manchester to Istanbul on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. These routes will be discontinued.
However, EasyJet will make a broader route adjustment, redirecting its capacity to new European destinations.
Starting from March 5, 2026, EasyJet will operate four weekly flights from Birmingham to Rome. Additionally, from April 4, 2026, flights from Edinburgh to Ljubljana will begin twice a week.
New European Destinations
With these new flight routes, EasyJet aims to increase interest in Europe’s vibrant cultural and coastal destinations from the UK.
From Bristol, flights to Reus will begin on June 25, 2026, operating on Thursdays and Sundays.
Moreover, flights from Bristol to Thessaloniki will start on June 27, 2026, operating on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Strategic Shift: European Travel and Leisure
EasyJet’s strategic decision reflects strong demand for popular holiday destinations in Europe. The airline is focusing more on short-haul tourism destinations, such as city breaks and Mediterranean getaways, to strengthen its position in the European holiday market, rather than competing on long-haul routes.
Despite withdrawing from Istanbul, EasyJet remains determined to connect UK passengers to Europe’s most popular cultural and coastal destinations.
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