Turkish Airlines is flying a weekly direct route between Al-Ahsa (HOF) and Rize-Artvin (RZV) in Türkiye this summer.
The seasonal service runs from 2 July to 20 August 2026, opening a new gateway for Eastern Province travellers.
The route is operated by Turkish Airlines and announced by Dammam Airports, the operator of Al-Ahsa International Airport. It first launched in summer 2025 and now returns for a second season.
The Route at a Glance
Here’s what the seasonal schedule looks like for 2026:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Airline | Turkish Airlines |
| Route | Al-Ahsa (HOF) ↔ Rize-Artvin (RZV) |
| Frequency | Weekly |
| Season | 2 July – 20 August 2026 |
The flight lets travellers from Al-Ahsa and the wider Eastern Province start their trip locally, without first connecting through Dammam or Riyadh.
Why Rize-Artvin?
Rize and Artvin sit in northeastern Türkiye, along the Black Sea coast. The region is known for its green tea plantations, misty highland plateaus, and cool, rainy summers.
It’s a popular escape for Gulf travellers looking to swap peak summer heat for forests, waterfalls, and mountain air.
A direct flight makes the region far easier to reach than routing through Istanbul and connecting onward, which has been the usual path.
What Travellers Should Know
A few practical points before you plan around this route:
- It’s weekly and seasonal. Flights operate once a week and only between 2 July and 20 August 2026, so build your trip around the fixed departure days.
- Book early. Limited seasonal capacity on a single weekly flight means seats can fill quickly during the summer peak.
- Check the schedule directly. Confirm exact days and times with Turkish Airlines before booking onward arrangements.
The route was first inaugurated in July 2025 by Al-Ahsa Governor Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, in cooperation with Turkish Airlines and Al Ghazal Travel and Tourism Agency, as part of the airport’s seasonal-destinations plan.
Sources
- Saudi Press Agency – Al-Ahsa Governor Launches First Direct Flight Between Al-Ahsa and Türkiye
- Arab News – Al-Ahsa Governor Launches Direct Flights to Turkish Black Sea Region
- Turkish Airlines – Flights to Rize
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