Turkmenistan Airlines Connects South Korea, Central Asia, Türkiye

Turkmenistan Airlines will inaugurate a new international route connecting Incheon (South Korea), Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), and Istanbul (Türkiye), with weekly flights commencing on July 14.

The service will operate every Monday, The Caspian Post reports, citing Turkmen media.

The launch of the route marks a notable development in Central Asia-East Asia air connectivity, linking Incheon - a major global hub and gateway to the Seoul metropolitan area - with Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan and a strategic transport and logistics center in the heart of Central Asia. Ashgabat also holds historical significance as a city along the ancient Silk Road and has emerged as a modern energy and infrastructure hub.

This initiative is seen as the first concrete outcome of enhanced aviation cooperation following the elevation of South Korea-Turkmenistan relations to a “mutual partnership” during the June 2024 bilateral summit.

The Incheon-Ashgabat-Istanbul route is expected to benefit both passenger and cargo traffic, opening new opportunities for business travelers, tourists, and trade professionals seeking improved access to Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

The route builds upon the direct cargo service launched in April 2023 between Incheon and Ashgabat, signaling strengthened logistics cooperation between the two nations.