Batik Air to suspend all flights to Istanbul, beginning May 1

The Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul is one of Turkiye's most visited sites. — MELODY L. GOH/The Star

Batik Air will be suspending all its flights to Istanbul, Turkiye, effective May 1, 2024, citing safety concerns.

An official statement from the airline reads: “This decision comes in response to the recent situation in the Middle East, which has significantly impacted the route we take, leading to the operational restrictions that make it challenging to continue the flights to the region.” Batik Air flies direct to the Istanbul Sabiha Gocken International Airport from Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1.