Published on December 18, 2025

Air Transat has rolled out not one but two thrilling routes starting from the Toronto Pearson International Airport, adding strength to its ever-expanding route system and extending global accessibility. The airline began its inaugural flights to the destinations of Istanbul, the republic of Türkiye, and Georgetown, the country of Guyana, on the 16th of December, 2025.
The first flight, Air Transat TS164, took off from Toronto Pearson Airport heading to Georgetown, Guyana, in the early evening, followed by TS214, the flight to Istanbul, Türkiye. Both destinations are now directly accessible from Toronto, offering more travel options for passengers looking to visit these cities or connect to other international destinations.
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The Toronto-Istanbul service is expected to have a significant impact on Canadian and Turkish travel, offering year-round flights with departures on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Starting in May 2026, an additional Thursday frequency will be introduced to meet growing demand. This route is a strategic addition, especially given the strong historical and economic ties between Canada and Türkiye, with many Canadians of Turkish descent frequenting Istanbul for both business and leisure.
The Toronto-Georgetown route, on the other hand, serves to meet the growing demand between Canada and Guyana. This service will play an essential role in strengthening air connectivity between the two countries, especially with the increase in migration flows and people-to-people connections. The new flight to Georgetown is expected to be especially beneficial to the Guyanese community in Canada, offering easier access to family and friends back home.
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Air Transat’s new Toronto-Istanbul route comes with a major benefit: passengers traveling through Istanbul can easily connect to numerous destinations across Türkiye and beyond. The airline has partnered with Turkish Airlines through interline and codeshare agreements, allowing travelers to seamlessly connect to cities in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, further expanding travel opportunities for passengers.
For travelers departing Toronto, this route provides direct access to one of Europe’s most dynamic cities. Istanbul, with its unique blend of history, culture, and modern amenities, attracts millions of visitors annually. The added frequency of this flight allows for more flexibility in travel plans and opens up new possibilities for exploring both Istanbul and nearby regions.
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By aligning with Turkish Airlines, Air Transat offers a competitive advantage for travelers seeking efficient, one-stop access to a wide array of global destinations, which is especially valuable for business and leisure travelers who want to explore multiple locations in one trip.
The new Toronto-Georgetown service is a significant addition to the growing travel ties between Canada and Guyana. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in migration flows between the two countries, driven largely by the Guyanese diaspora in Canada. The direct flight from Toronto to Georgetown is designed to serve these increasing travel demands, making it easier for families to stay connected and for business professionals to explore opportunities in the region.
Guyana, a country known for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, is becoming an increasingly popular destination for Canadian travelers. Whether for leisure, business, or to visit relatives, the new direct connection will reduce travel time and offer more convenience for those traveling to and from the South American nation.
For Toronto Pearson Airport, the addition of these new routes further solidifies its role as a major international gateway, providing Canadians with more options for traveling both to popular European destinations like Istanbul and to emerging markets like Georgetown.
Air Transat’s expansion into these new markets highlights the airline’s continued commitment to enhancing its global reach and catering to growing demand. As travel restrictions from the pandemic continue to ease, demand for international travel is surging. By offering new direct flights to Istanbul and Georgetown, Air Transat is helping facilitate that demand, connecting passengers to key cities and strengthening tourism opportunities in both regions.
Istanbul, known for its rich history as a former capital of empires and its status as a cultural and economic hub, will likely see increased tourism from both Canadian and international visitors. Similarly, Georgetown, Guyana’s capital, which offers unique cultural experiences, is poised to benefit from this new connection, particularly as more travelers from North America look to explore the region.
By increasing international connectivity, Air Transat also plays an important role in stimulating economic activity. Tourism drives local economies, and these new routes are expected to have a positive impact not only on the tourism sectors of the two cities but also on the local businesses that benefit from increased visitor numbers, such as hotels, restaurants, and tour operators.
With the addition of new routes to Istanbul and Georgetown, Air Transat can now not only offer Canadians more flight options, but the ambience of these foreign locations will also help to promote tourism around the world. Canadians now have the opportunity to make easy connections to the rest of the world.
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Thursday, December 18, 2025
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Thursday, December 18, 2025
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Thursday, December 18, 2025
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Thursday, December 18, 2025