Air Malta will soon start flying to Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport after moving from Istanbul’s other airport, Atatürk.

The airport, named after the world’s first female combat pilot Sabiha Gökçen, is the world’s fastest-growing airport serving more than 19 million passengers annually.

Sabiha Gökçen airport is situated on the eastern side of the Bosphorus strait and therefore forms part of the Asian side of the bi-continental city.

This airport is only 40 minutes away from the city centre by taxi and is served also by a variety of efficient transport modes including dedicated Express airport buses and public transport. A shuttle bus to the metro station nearby provides access to metro lines and the Marmaray tunnel that connects the two sides of the city underneath the Bosphorus.

Air Malta’s first flight to Sabiha Gökçen Airport will be on March 31 and will follow last summer’s schedule of three weekly flights every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Connections are available to other airports beyond, primarily within Turkey.

“Sabiha Gökçen Airport serves a growing and largely untapped catchment area within the Asian side of Istanbul and other cities to the south. The airport will provide us with more operational flexibility,” said Philip Saunders, Air Malta’s Chief Commercial Officer, explaining the airline’s move.

Air Malta this month launched a campaign offering a 50% discount on flights to/from Malta-Istanbul. The sale closes 31st January 2014.

Tickets, which start from only €59 one way inclusive of taxes and charges, are valid for travel between January 6th and March 31st.

The historical city of Istanbul is Turkey’s economic, cultural, and historical heart. Its attractions include towering minarets, underground Byzantine cisterns and steamy bathhouses.

Visit www.goturkey.com for more information.