Pendik, Istanbul to Arbil (SAW–EBL) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
SAW–EBL is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Pegasus and Valuair lead the route. The flight covers 853 miles in approximately 2h 20m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC Pegasus | 14 | 321 | 2h15-2h20 | – | – | – |
| VF Valuair | 7 | 73H | 2h30 | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Arbil from Pendik, Istanbul
| Metric | SAW→EBL | IST→EBL |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from SAW | – | 40 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 21 | 10 |
| Flight time | 2h 20m | 2h 25m |
Travel Essentials
SAW: +03 · EBL: +03
When it's 6:00 PM in Pendik, Istanbul, it's 6:00 PM in Arbil.
Turkish passport holders enter Iraq visa-free for short-term stays. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. At Baghdad International Airport (BGW), Basra (BSR), or Najaf (NJF), you receive a stamp at immigration. A return or onward ticket may be requested. Turkey and Iraq share a long land border, and the Habur-Ibrahim Khalil crossing (between Sirnak and Zakho) is one of the busiest commercial border crossings in the region.
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) operates its own visa system alongside the federal Iraqi system. Turkish nationals enter the KRI visa-free at Erbil (EBL) and Sulaymaniyah (ISU) airports and at the Habur land crossing. The KRI is a popular destination for Turkish business travelers and tourists, with direct flights and drive times of 4 to 6 hours from southeastern Turkish cities. Turkish lira is informally accepted in border towns, though the Iraqi dinar is the official currency everywhere.
Direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Erbil (EBL) run about 2 hours 30 minutes on Turkish Airlines and Pegasus. Istanbul to Baghdad (BGW) runs about 2 hours 45 minutes. Ankara, Antalya, and Gaziantep also have direct service to Iraqi cities. Iraq uses the Iraqi dinar (IQD), trading at roughly 38 IQD per TRY 1. ATMs dispense dinars in Erbil and Baghdad. Card payments work at hotels and larger businesses. Cash is essential for daily transactions. Shared taxis between Iraqi cities cost IQD 10,000 to IQD 25,000 (TRY 260 to TRY 660).
SAW–EBL Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SAW to EBL
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) and Erbil International Airport (EBL) are connected by nonstop service from Pegasus and Valuair. With 21 weekly departures, this is a well served route.
SAW to EBL Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SAW to EBL is about 2 hours 20 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 853 miles (1,372 km). There are approximately 21 weekly flights outbound and 20 return, totaling 41 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Esenboğa, Cairo and Queen Alia. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Istanbul (IST).