Türkiye’s Southwind Airlines Resumes Flights to the European Union

Türkiye-based leisure carrier southwind airlines has resumed flights to the European Union, marking its return to Western European operations after a prolonged absence.

The airline restarted services on March 2, 2026, operating a charter flight between antalya and bernin. The flight was linked to travel activity surrounding tourism trade fair, one of the world’s largest travel industry events. 

According to fleet tracking data, the flight was performed using a dry‑leased configured with 189 seats. The airline indicated through social media channels that the service could be followed by additional routes to other European destinations, although specific plans have not yet been disclosed. 

The development comes after the airline faced restrictions across the European Union in 2024. Several European authorities raised concerns about the carrier’s ownership structure and potential links to Russian entities, which led to a ban on flights into and over EU airspace. 

Founded in 2022 and based in Antalya, southwest airlines operates a mixed fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft serving destinations in Russia, the Middle East, and Türkiye. The airline has focused heavily on transporting leisure travelers to Turkish resort destinations.

With the latest charter operation to Berlin, the carrier appears to be cautiously re‑entering the European market. Whether this marks a broader restoration of its European network remains to be seen, but the flight represents a significant step toward rebuilding its presence in the region’s aviation sector.