Starting this June, travelers flying out of Podgorica will have two new direct routes to Turkey — and no layovers required. SunExpress, a Turkish airline, is set to launch scheduled service from Montenegro’s capital to both Antalya and Izmir, opening up connections to two of Turkey’s most popular destinations for the first time under the carrier’s network.
The announcement marks SunExpress’s entry into the Montenegrin market, a move that adds meaningful options for both leisure travelers and those visiting family or friends across the two countries. Before these routes, passengers traveling between Podgorica and these Turkish cities typically had to route through a connecting hub — adding time, cost, and inconvenience to what are relatively short trips geographically.
For a small country like Montenegro, direct international routes carry real weight. Every new connection broadens the travel market, supports tourism, and gives residents more affordable, practical ways to reach major destinations abroad.
What SunExpress Is Actually Launching — and When
The two new routes are distinct services with their own start dates and flight schedules. The Podgorica–Izmir route launches first, with the inaugural flight on June 12, 2026. Flights on this route will operate twice weekly, departing on Tuesdays and Fridays.
The Podgorica–Antalya service follows two days later, launching on June 14, 2026, also running twice weekly on Tuesdays and Sundays.
Both routes are scheduled as seasonal services, operating through October 2026 — aligning with the peak summer and early autumn travel period when demand for Mediterranean and Aegean destinations is at its highest.
The Route Details at a Glance
| Route | Launch Date | Frequency | Operating Days | Season End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Podgorica – Izmir | June 12, 2026 | 2x weekly | Tuesdays & Fridays | October 2026 |
| Podgorica – Antalya | June 14, 2026 | 2x weekly | Tuesdays & Sundays | October 2026 |
Both destinations are among Turkey’s most visited cities. Antalya is the country’s premier beach and resort hub on the Mediterranean coast, drawing millions of visitors every summer for its combination of warm weather, ancient ruins, and all-inclusive resorts. Izmir, on the Aegean coast, is Turkey’s third-largest city — a cosmopolitan port city known for its food culture, waterfront promenade, and proximity to the ancient site of Ephesus.
Why This Matters for Montenegrin and Turkish Travelers
Direct air routes do more than just save time. They lower the overall cost of travel by eliminating connection fees, reduce the risk of missed connections, and make spontaneous or short-break travel genuinely viable. For Montenegrin travelers, a direct flight to Antalya means a beach holiday in Turkey is now as straightforward as booking a ticket and showing up at the airport.
For Turkish travelers, the routes open up Montenegro as an accessible summer destination. Montenegro’s Adriatic coastline, national parks, and medieval old towns have been growing in popularity across European markets, and improved air links from major Turkish cities could accelerate that trend.
The twice-weekly frequency — while not a daily service — is a realistic starting point for a new route entering a market. It gives the airline room to test demand and build a passenger base before potentially expanding schedules in future seasons.
Turkey is consistently ranked among the most visited countries in Europe, and both Antalya and Izmir rank among its top international travel gateways. Adding Podgorica to SunExpress’s network signals that the airline sees genuine demand in the Western Balkans corridor — a region that has seen growing aviation investment in recent years as carriers look beyond saturated Western European markets.
What Comes Next for These Routes
Both services are confirmed as summer 2026 seasonal routes, running from their respective June launch dates through October 2026. Whether SunExpress extends the service into winter schedules or returns for summer 2027 has not yet been announced.
The performance of these inaugural routes will likely shape that decision. If passenger loads are strong across the summer, it would make a compelling case for the airline to deepen its commitment to the Podgorica market — potentially adding frequency or extending the operating season in subsequent years.
For travelers interested in booking, the routes are expected to be available through SunExpress’s standard booking channels. As with most seasonal routes, booking earlier in the planning window typically offers more availability and competitive fares.
Montenegro’s aviation market continues to attract new carriers and routes as the country’s profile as a travel destination grows. The arrival of SunExpress adds another option to what is becoming a more connected regional airport — and for anyone with Turkey on their travel list this summer, a direct flight from Podgorica now makes that trip considerably easier to plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the SunExpress Podgorica–Izmir route launch?
The Podgorica to Izmir service launches on June 12, 2026, operating on Tuesdays and Fridays.
When does the SunExpress Podgorica–Antalya route launch?
The Podgorica to Antalya service begins on June 14, 2026, with flights on Tuesdays and Sundays.
How often do these new SunExpress routes operate?
Both the Izmir and Antalya routes operate twice weekly from Podgorica.
How long will these routes run?
Both routes are scheduled as seasonal services running through October 2026.
Will SunExpress continue these routes beyond October 2026?
This has not yet been confirmed — the current announcement covers the summer 2026 season only.
Is this SunExpress’s first time operating in Montenegro?
Based on the announcement, these routes represent SunExpress’s entry into the Montenegrin market, making them new additions to the airline’s network.
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