Air Transat Launches Direct Flights to Istanbul, Türkiye and Georgetown, Guyana
by Marsha Mowers
Bernard Côté, Senior Director – Brand Communications at Transat, Manichand Singh and Cindy Sauers, Honorary Consul and High Commissioner for the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Sean O’Donnell, Associate Director Air Service and Cargo Development at GTAA, Howard Liebman, Vice-President of Government Relations at Transat, and flight TS164 crew.
Fresh off being named the 2025 World’s Best Leisure Airline by Skytrax, Air Transat launched its inaugural flights to Istanbul, Türkiye (IST), and Georgetown, Guyana (GEO) on December 16. The two new routes, operating from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), further strengthen the airline’s network from its key Toronto hub. Flight TS164 to Georgetown departed in the early evening, followed later that night by Flight TS214 to Istanbul.
“Introducing Istanbul and Georgetown from Toronto is a strategic move that diversifies our offering while meeting the needs of travellers visiting friends and family,” said Sebastian Ponce, Transat’s Chief Revenue Officer. “Istanbul opens the door to extensive onward connections through our partnership with Turkish Airlines, while Georgetown reinforces ties with Canada’s Guyanese community. Together, these routes invite discovery and deliver the seamless comfort that defines Air Transat.”
“We are proud to support Air Transat’s continued growth at Toronto Pearson with the launch of new non-stop service to Istanbul and Georgetown,” said Kurush Minocher, Chief Commercial Officer at Toronto Pearson. “These routes expand access to global destinations, support both leisure and business travel, and further reinforce Toronto Pearson’s role as a leading international hub.”
The new Toronto–Istanbul service operates year-round, with flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and an additional Thursday frequency beginning in May 2026. Through new codeshare and interline agreements with Turkish Airlines, travellers can easily connect beyond Istanbul to destinations across Türkiye, Asia, and other global markets.
“This marks another important milestone in strengthening Istanbul’s position as a world-leading global aviation and transit hub,” said Server Aydın, Chief Commercial Officer at iGA Istanbul Airport. “Air Transat’s arrival enhances connectivity between the Americas and Türkiye, creating new opportunities for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange while reinforcing Istanbul’s growing role in the international aviation ecosystem.”
The Toronto–Georgetown route, which has already been extended through May 29, 2026, operates twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays. The service is operated using Air Transat’s Airbus A321LR, an aircraft recognized for its fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, offering travellers a smooth journey to Guyana and its natural landscapes.
“The addition of this service reflects a deliberate, long-term strategy to expand Guyana’s airlift,” said Sanjeev Datadin, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Cheddi Jagan International Airport. “We remain focused on building strong airline partnerships, maintaining sound governance, and supporting investments that will enable the airport to meet future demand while upholding international standards.”
These new routes also benefit from seamless connections through Air Transat’s joint venture with Porter Airlines, making travel easier for passengers from across Canada—including Western Canada, Ottawa, Montreal, and the Maritimes—connecting through Toronto to reach Istanbul and Georgetown.
