Turkish Airlines Adjusts Istanbul–Juba Route via Asmara, Enhancing Turkey–Eritrea–South Sudan New Connectivity in Summer 2025

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Turkish Airlines has announced a significant adjustment to its flight operations in Africa, specifically regarding its service to Juba, South Sudan, for the Northern Summer 2025 season. Beginning March 31, 2025, the airline plans to replace its existing nonstop Istanbul–Juba service with a new triangular routing via Asmara, Eritrea.

This change in route structure signals a strategic realignment of Turkish Airlines’ network in East Africa, with implications for both business and leisure travelers. The move highlights the growing importance of multi-stop connections in African aviation, allowing for enhanced connectivity between different regions while optimizing flight efficiency and operational costs.

By introducing a layover in Asmara, Turkish Airlines will be able to expand its reach in the Horn of Africa, providing additional options for passengers traveling to both Eritrea and South Sudan. This shift is expected to influence travel demand, ticket pricing, and overall accessibility to Juba, a city that plays a key role in South Sudan’s economic and diplomatic activities.

New Flight Schedule and Aircraft Details

Under the revised operational plan, Turkish Airlines will serve the Istanbul–Asmara–Juba–Istanbul route twice weekly, utilizing a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The schedule is designed to accommodate both business and transit travelers, with departure and arrival times structured for optimal connectivity.

• Flight TK611 will depart from Istanbul (IST) at 12:40 AM, arriving in Asmara (ASM) at 5:05 AM.
• After a one-hour stopover, it will continue to Juba (JUB), landing at 7:25 AM.
• The return flight will depart from Juba at 8:55 AM, returning to Istanbul at 4:55 PM.
• The service will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays, ensuring consistent accessibility for business and diplomatic travel.

Strengthening Aviation Connectivity in East Africa

The decision to integrate Asmara into the route to Juba aligns with Turkish Airlines’ broader efforts to expand its African network while improving efficiency on long-haul flights. This shift is particularly relevant for travelers in South Sudan and Eritrea, two countries that have limited direct international flight options.

For South Sudan, which remains one of the world’s youngest nations, connectivity with major international hubs is critical for economic growth, foreign investment, and diplomatic engagement. Turkish Airlines’ continued presence reinforces Juba’s position as an important business and governmental hub, allowing passengers access to Istanbul’s extensive global network.

Meanwhile, for Eritrea, the inclusion of Asmara in this route opens new possibilities for trade, tourism, and expatriate travel, particularly as international carriers assess the viability of adding more flights to the region.

Implications for Business and Leisure Travelers

While some travelers may see the introduction of an additional stop as an inconvenience, the revised route is expected to enhance travel flexibility for those commuting between Istanbul and East Africa.

• For business travelers: The added connection could facilitate multi-country business trips, providing an opportunity to conduct meetings in both Eritrea and South Sudan before returning to Istanbul.
• For the tourism sector: Although Juba is not a primary leisure destination, the additional access to Asmara may increase interest in Eritrea’s cultural heritage and historical sites, particularly among European travelers connecting via Istanbul.

At the same time, the availability of Turkish Airlines’ premium services on this route is likely to attract high-value passengers, including diplomats, corporate travelers, and international organizations with operations in Juba and Asmara.

African Aviation Trends and Strategic Airline Decisions

Turkish Airlines’ decision to reroute flights via Asmara reflects a wider trend in African aviation, where airlines are increasingly adopting multi-leg flights to maximize efficiency and expand connectivity.

• Demand-driven route optimization: Many global airlines are reevaluating direct flights to smaller African capitals, choosing instead to integrate stopovers in secondary hubs to ensure higher passenger loads and operational feasibility.
• The role of Istanbul as a transit hub: Turkish Airlines continues to position itself as a key carrier for Africa-bound travelers, leveraging Istanbul’s strategic location as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
• Competition with Middle Eastern carriers: The airline’s African expansion strategy competes directly with Gulf carriers, particularly Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines, which dominate East African connectivity.

With the 2025 adjustment, Turkish Airlines is reinforcing its long-term commitment to Africa, ensuring consistent service while adapting to evolving market needs.

Global Travel Effects and Passenger Considerations

For international travelers, the revised Istanbul–Asmara–Juba routing presents both opportunities and challenges.

• Increased access to Eritrea: As Asmara remains relatively underserved by international airlines, Turkish Airlines’ new schedule opens the door for further tourism and trade between Eritrea and Europe.
• Transit times and travel efficiency: While the additional stop may extend total travel duration, the continuation of flights from Asmara to Juba without an aircraft change ensures minimal disruption for passengers.
• New commercial possibilities: Businesses with interests in both Eritrea and South Sudan may benefit from greater logistical flexibility, potentially influencing decisions on trade, investment, and corporate travel.

In the broader travel landscape, multi-stop international routes are becoming more common, especially as airlines seek to maximize efficiency in regions with lower passenger traffic. If this routing proves successful, similar strategies could be adopted for other underserved African destinations.

Future Prospects for Turkish Airlines in Africa

As the airline continues to expand its footprint on the African continent, aviation experts will be watching closely to see whether passenger demand justifies the routing change.

If the Istanbul–Asmara–Juba configuration performs well, Turkish Airlines may consider extending the model to additional East and Central African destinations, further cementing its status as a leading carrier in African air travel.

For now, the March 2025 schedule change represents a pivotal adjustment, demonstrating how airlines are continuously refining their strategies to balance profitability, passenger convenience, and international connectivity.

Turkish Airlines NS25 Juba Service Changes

Turkish Airlines Adjusts Istanbul–Juba Route via Asmara ..