AOPA Luxembourg is pleased to share some exciting news for our members planning to fly to Türkiye this summer. After years of effort and cooperation, Türkiye has become significantly more accessible and affordable for General Aviation thanks to the dedicated work of our long-time friend and former AOPA Luxembourg member, Turgut Kulaçoğlu — now the newly elected President of AOPA Türkiye.
Turgut and his team have worked tirelessly to open up Türkiye to visiting pilots, and their efforts have paid off: as of March 1, 2025, major improvements and cost reductions have been implemented at numerous Turkish airports.
What’s New for GA Pilots Visiting Türkiye?
1. Drastically Reduced Fees
Until recently, light aircraft faced the same pricing structure as 20-ton airliners — making Türkiye an expensive destination for private pilots. Now, AOPA Türkiye has secured the following discounted rates for aircraft under 2,000 kg MTOW:
- Group 1 Airports (e.g., Istanbul, Antalya):
- Landing: €10 (was €200)
- Daily Parking: €3.10 (was €64)
- Group 2 Airports:
- Landing: €6.20 (was €124)
- Daily Parking: €1.60 (was €32)
- Approach Fee: €56 (flat rate)
- Handling (ACM Air): €50 via AOPA Türkiye’s agreement
These changes represent a remarkable cost saving for GA pilots and make Türkiye a very attractive destination for summer travel.
2. Simplified Turkish Airspace Permit
- An overflight/entry permit is still required, valid for 3 years.
- AOPA members can request personalized assistance to obtain the permit.
- Non-members can also apply via authorized companies.
- Full details available at aopa.org.tr/en
3. AVGAS Availability
- Available at most airports
- Approximate price (including VAT): €2.50/liter
4. Private Airports
- A small number of private airfields offer free landing and parking.
- Always check in advance for specific operating rules.
This is a major win for the GA community, and we congratulate Turgut and the entire team at AOPA Türkiye on their achievement. We encourage AOPA Luxembourg members to take advantage of this opportunity, explore Türkiye by air, and connect with our fellow pilots there.
Safe skies and happy landings!
In 2016, AOPA Luxembourg was the first group flying with 15 planes to Georgia. We plan to go again in 2026. This is clearly helpfull