Turkish Airlines Keeps Seven Daily Istanbul–Moscow Flights for NW25

Turkish Airlines will keep operating seven daily flights on the busy Istanbul–Moscow corridor through the Northern Winter 2025/26 season, holding its expanded schedule despite recent regional turbulence and short-notice airspace limits in Russia. The carrier’s latest schedule filing in early September confirms that the seventh frequency—originally planned to be cut after October 26—will remain active, giving travelers a high-frequency option between Istanbul and Moscow’s Vnukovo (VKO) Airport. The airline’s move signals confidence in steady demand for tourism and business travel even as safety rules can tighten with little warning.

Why the schedule matters

The decision follows a volatile spring, when Turkish Airlines suspended nearly two dozen flights between Russia and Turkey after Ukrainian drone strikes near Moscow triggered temporary restrictions by Russian aviation authorities. Those limits affected at least 13 flights touching Vnukovo and Turkish cities, including Istanbul, Antalya, and Bodrum. Service later normalized as NOTAMs were lifted.

Passengers caught by those cancellations were offered hotel stays and ticket reissues, a policy the airline says it will continue to apply in future disruptions. Operationally, Turkish Airlines is leaning on the scale and flexibility of its main base: Istanbul Airport (IST) handles nearly 99% of the carrier’s flights and is mid-way through a capacity expansion from 90 million to 120 million annual passengers by the end of 2025.

That growth supports the decision to keep seven daily flights to the Russian capital area, giving the company enough room to rotate aircraft, protect connections, and absorb shocks if another wave of restrictions hits Moscow’s airspace.

The plan is clear: seven daily flights, all winter long, starting October 26, 2025, to Moscow Vnukovo. For travelers, the upside is plenty of choice throughout the day for point-to-point trips and onward connections across the Turkish Airlines network.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the high frequency also improves rebooking options if a single rotation is delayed or canceled, because passengers can be moved more easily to another same-day flight.

Recent regulatory context and traveler advice

Russian aviation authorities have used NOTAMs to pause or reroute traffic around Moscow during periods of risk. These orders can appear and disappear quickly, which is why travelers on the Istanbul–Moscow route should build in time buffers and keep alerts switched on.

If a fresh notice interrupts flights, Turkish Airlines’ rulebook calls for rebooking and accommodations for stranded passengers until operations restart. The airline’s disruption policy—rebooking, ticket reissue, and hotel accommodation—remains the safety net.

Practical traveler tips

• Track flight status frequently, especially within 24 hours of departure.
• Consider earlier departures if you have tight connections later in the day.
• Keep contact details updated in your booking so alerts reach you fast.
• Build flexible plans on the ground in Moscow in case arrivals shift by several hours.
• Save receipts for expenses during irregular operations to speed reimbursement if eligible.

Frontline staff can process changes at airports and through the call center. Many travelers also manage changes through the airline’s app, which can speed rebooking during peak call volumes.

Operational update and schedule (key facts)

• Turkish Airlines confirms seven daily flights between Istanbul and Moscow Vnukovo (VKO) for the Northern Winter 2025/26 season.
• The plan takes effect October 26, 2025, and continues through the winter.
• High-frequency service replaces an earlier filing that showed six daily flights for this period.
• Tickets are already on sale; travelers can check seat maps and real-time changes at Turkish Airlines.

When flights were paused in May, the airline posted updates on its site and used direct messaging to reach booked customers, offering hotel rooms and reissued tickets. Those steps remain in place if there’s another short-term disruption.

Market demand and operational resilience

The Istanbul–Moscow market has kept its strength since 2022 despite fits and starts caused by regional conflict. Demand stems from tourism flows in both directions, business travel tied to trade links, and Istanbul’s role as a major connecting hub.

Analysts note several operational benefits of high frequency:
– Spreads risk across multiple daily rotations.
– Improves the odds of same-day rebooking if one rotation is delayed or canceled.
– Protects onward connections for families and business travelers.
– Eases pressure on ground teams during recovery windows.

Capacity expansion at IST to 120 million annual passengers by end-2025 gives Turkish Airlines more gates and smoother ground handling windows, which are vital when maintaining seven daily flights to a high-security destination like Moscow. That infrastructure, combined with operational agility shown in May (re-timing rotations and consolidating flights), helped speed the reset once restrictions eased.

Background and safety context

Turkish Airlines has long run multiple daily rotations to Moscow, centering service at Vnukovo. Since 2022, operations have been tested by geopolitical tension and sudden safety steps, but demand has remained robust. Industry observers say the Russia–Turkey air corridor remains strategic for both leisure and commerce.

Key facts shaping this winter:
– IST handles almost 99% of Turkish Airlines’ flights and is on track to reach 120 million passenger capacity by end-2025.
– A May 2025 disruption triggered by drone strikes near Moscow led to a temporary suspension of nearly two dozen Turkey–Russia flights; service resumed once Russian NOTAMs lifted.
– The winter schedule keeps seven daily flights to VKO, maintaining the expanded summer baseline instead of reverting to six.

For businesses, the extra frequency can mean the difference between a same-day trip and an overnight stay. For workers on assignment and families, more daily choices reduce missed connections and long layovers.

Passenger planning checklist

1. Book flights with changeable fares if your travel is mission-critical.
2. Aim for at least a two-hour connection in Istanbul for long-haul connections.
3. Save digital copies of booking, passport, and required documents to ease rebooking.
4. Keep receipts for expenses during irregular operations for reimbursement.

Turkish Airlines’ press updates and schedule filings are the primary sources for its operational plan. The airline’s News & Press section posts updates when schedules change, and same-day operational alerts typically appear in booking profiles and the mobile app. When in doubt, check Turkish Airlines before heading to the airport.

Regulators also publish guidance: Turkey’s civil aviation regulator posts safety and operational updates at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation site: Turkey DGCA. These notices complement the airline’s alerts and help travelers plan buffers around important events.

What this means going forward

Industry experts view the decision to keep seven daily flights as a vote of confidence in both demand and the airline’s ability to manage short-term shocks. The flexibility shown in May—quick reissues, timely hotel placements, and priority handling for stranded travelers—has been called a best practice for crisis response. Combined with the growing capacity at IST, Turkish Airlines is positioned to carry passengers between Istanbul and Moscow through winter with a stronger buffer against the unexpected.

The months ahead will still require vigilance: regional security remains fluid, and temporary suspensions or reroutes may return with short notice. But the combination of:
– Seven daily flights,
– A large hub with expanding capacity, and
– A tested disruption playbook

gives travelers a clearer path to keep trips on track.

For now, the practical message is simple: book with awareness, keep alerts on, and use the breadth of daily options to protect your plans. On a route where conditions can change fast, frequency is more than a number—it’s a practical shield that helps keep people moving.