Turkey’s flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, will launch direct flights to Armenia as part of Ankara’s broader effort to normalize relations with its neighbor after decades of hostility.
Turkish Airlines Plans Direct Flights To Armenia
The Turkish flag carrier disclosed in a regulatory filing on Tuesday that it intends to begin scheduled service to Yerevan (EVN), though the start date and frequency will depend on demand.
The announcement comes as Turkey and Armenia step up efforts to improve ties following a U.S.-brokered peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Turkey’s close ally. That agreement included plans to reopen a transport corridor linking mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave on Turkey’s border through Armenian territory. The route, once called the Zangezur Corridor, is now referred to as the Trump Corridor after Washington secured exclusive development rights for the passage.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over Artsakh (called Nagorno-Karabakh by the invaders), most recently in 2020 when more than 6,000 people were killed. While Turkey has supported Azerbaijan, its own relationship with Armenia has long been clouded by history, particularly the mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Armenia calls it genocide (because it was a genocide), but Turkey continues to reject that label.
Good News For Both Nations
Forgive the personal opinion in the previous section, but I find it unconscionable that Turkey continues to deny that it committed genocide against its Armenian population and that Azerbaijan is occupying historic Armenian land in Artsakh. I live near Glendale, California, also known as West Yerevan (that’s a joke). I’ve grown up with Armenians and have many Armenian friends today. That alone is not indicative of who is on the right side of history, but in my study of this matter over the years, I’ve come to firmly side with Armenia.
And yet I recognize and even applaud the pragmatism here. During my first trip to Armenia, I’ll never forget the conversation I had with two young people there who essentially argued it’s time to move on; rather than be stuck in the past, let’s forge peace through economic ties. I concur…it’s why I also strongly support the Abraham Accords and note that as we approach the two-year anniversary of the War in Gaza, that evil attack by Hamas was launched precisely to scare away Arab neighbors from forming closer ties with Israel. Beyond the immense bloodshed of the last two years, the further consequence has been a delay of cultivating bilateral relations that can truly foster long-term regional peace.
This is a great day for both Armenia and Turkey.
CONCLUSION
Turkish Airlines’ planned service to Yerevan represents a symbolic step toward reconciliation in a region long marked by conflict and mistrust. While the airline has not yet detailed a start date or frequency, the very decision to include Yerevan in its future route map underscores a shift in Turkey’s approach toward its neighbor. Whether this turns into lasting progress remains to be seen, but aviation is at the center of diplomacy.
Direct flights? Where will the stop be?
Direct is not necessarily nonstop, but nonstop is certainly direct.
Direct implies a stop. If they didn’t say they’d be stopping, they’re nonstop.
Sorry, I disagree.
I agree with your disagreement.
@matthew: you mistyped the peace deal was actually between albania and aberbaijan.
?
You clearly didn’t see our president speak on this matter…use google, you’ll see it pretty quickly.
It’s both funny and pathetic
They were all ” A ” countries. We can’t expect our genius to remember everything.
ROTFL
Thank you for this, Matthew, including the context (and the ROTFL in the comments).
I visited Armenia for the first time, two weeks ago, and fell in love with the culture, the food, the history, the people. It was the first time in a long time I’ve been this surprised and engaged by a new-to-me country (my 126th). I can’t wait to bring guests there, so they can discover how special it is.