Onur Air
A defunct Turkish low-cost and charter passenger airline.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Onur Air, formally Onur Air Taşımacılık AŞ, was a Turkish passenger airline that combined scheduled domestic services with charter flying for leisure and migrant-worker markets. The airline was established on 14 April 1992 and began revenue operations on 14 May of that year with a wet-leased Airbus A320 operating a flight to Ercan in Northern Cyprus. During its early expansion, the carrier enlarged its fleet and by the end of 1995 operated nine aircraft. Its aircraft mix later included McDonnell Douglas MD-80-family jets, reflecting the airline's emphasis on relatively high-capacity, short- and medium-haul operations. In 1996, ownership of Onur Air was acquired by Ten Tour. The airline served both its own scheduled network and the broader Turkish tourism industry, including full-charter flights arranged for related tour operators such as Nazar Reisen in Germany and Nazar Travel in Turkey. Its business therefore depended on two complementary sources of demand: regular domestic passenger traffic and seasonal international leisure travel. A recession caused the fleet to contract from 13 aircraft in 1998 to nine in 1999, after which the airline resumed expansion. Onur Air's history was also marked by repeated regulatory and operational scrutiny. In 2005, aviation authorities in Germany, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands imposed temporary restrictions or denied access after inspections and reported concerns about aircraft condition, maintenance and operational safety. The restrictions generated a wider diplomatic dispute between Turkey and Germany, including reciprocal action affecting German airlines. Access was restored in stages after discussions, inspections and a review of Onur Air's procedures. The airline stated that it had received maintenance-related certificates from Airbus and Boeing, but the 2005 episode remained one of the defining controversies of its operating history. The carrier later continued operating domestic scheduled flights and international charter services. Following the closure of Istanbul Atatürk Airport's commercial operations, its flights from the former base were transferred to Istanbul Airport by 6 April 2019. In August 2019, Onur Air helped establish Holiday Europe, a partly owned leisure subsidiary serving European and Mediterranean markets; Onur Air supplied aircraft and crews. Holiday Europe's operating licence was revoked in October 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified Onur Air's financial problems. Negotiations intended to restore the airline's financial stability did not succeed, and Turkish aviation authorities declined to renew its operating licence in December 2021, forcing the suspension of all operations. In February 2022, the lessor repossessed the carrier's last remaining airworthy aircraft. A Turkish court declared Onur Air bankrupt in April 2022 following legal proceedings brought by a former employee. The airline consequently became a defunct member of Turkey's former commercial aviation sector.
History
Onur Air was founded in Turkey on 14 April 1992 and started commercial service one month later, on 14 May, using a wet-leased Airbus A320 for a flight to Ercan in Northern Cyprus. The airline expanded during its first years and had nine aircraft by the end of 1995. Ten Tour acquired the company in 1996, and McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft were added from 1997. The fleet was reduced during an economic downturn, reaching 13 aircraft in 1998 and nine in 1999, before the company resumed growth. The airline developed a mixed business model. It operated scheduled domestic services within Turkey while also flying international charters, particularly for tourism and seasonal travel. It performed special full-charter services for associated tour operators, including flights serving tourists and Turkish guest workers. This combination made Onur Air part of Turkey's expanding leisure-aviation market while retaining a domestic scheduled presence. A major turning point came in 2005, when several European aviation authorities raised safety and operational concerns. Germany removed Onur Air from its approved list after inspections identified serious defects involving the airline's aircraft. Switzerland and France also withdrew entry permission, while the Netherlands temporarily denied access to Dutch airspace after a series of incidents. Turkey responded at one stage by withdrawing landing permissions for German airlines, producing a diplomatic dispute. Restrictions were subsequently lifted or eased after negotiations, inspections and a review of the carrier's maintenance and operating procedures. The airline had received a number of maintenance-related certificates from Airbus and Boeing, but the regulatory episode significantly shaped its public history. Onur Air continued operating domestic and charter flights in the following years. Its operational footprint included Istanbul and Turkish resort airports, as well as international destinations served for leisure traffic. By 6 April 2019, flights from Istanbul Atatürk Airport had been moved to the newly opened Istanbul Airport. In August of the same year, the airline established Holiday Europe, a partly owned leisure subsidiary intended to operate flights between Europe and Mediterranean destinations. Onur Air supplied aircraft and crews to the new operation. Holiday Europe's licence was revoked in October 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic placed additional pressure on Onur Air's finances and operations. Attempts to regain financial stability did not succeed. In December 2021, Turkish authorities declined to renew the airline's operating licence and the carrier suspended all operations. The lessor repossessed its final airworthy aircraft in February 2022, leaving the company without an operational fleet. In April 2022, a Turkish court declared Onur Air bankrupt after proceedings brought by a former employee. The airline is therefore classified as defunct.
- 2022
Fleet repossession and bankruptcy
[1]The last remaining airworthy aircraft was repossessed by its lessor in February, and a Turkish court declared the airline bankrupt in April.
- 2021
Holiday Europe licence revoked
[1]The operating licence of Holiday Europe was revoked in October.
- 2021
Onur Air suspends all operations
[1]Turkish authorities did not renew the airline's operating licence in December, leading to a suspension of all operations.
- 2019
Flights move from Atatürk Airport to Istanbul Airport
[1]By 6 April, the airline had transferred flights from its former Istanbul Atatürk base to Istanbul Airport.
- 2019
Holiday Europe is established
[1]Onur Air established a partly owned leisure subsidiary, Holiday Europe, and supplied it with aircraft and crews.
- 2005
European operating restrictions
[1]Several European authorities temporarily restricted Onur Air operations following safety and aircraft-condition inspections.
- 1997
MD-80 aircraft enter the fleet
[1]McDonnell Douglas MD-80-family aircraft were added to the airline's fleet.
- 1996
Ten Tour acquires the airline
[1]Ownership of Onur Air was acquired by Ten Tour.
- 1995
Early fleet expansion
[1]Onur Air's fleet had grown to nine aircraft by the end of the year.
- 1992
Onur Air is established and begins operations
[1]The airline was established on 14 April and began revenue service on 14 May with a wet-leased Airbus A320 flying to Ercan in Northern Cyprus.
Products and positioning
A value-oriented Turkish airline focused on domestic scheduled services and seasonal international charter operations.
Airline passenger transport · 1992
Scheduled domestic passenger services
Onur Air's core scheduled business connected Turkish destinations using a low-cost operating model. Domestic flying formed the regular-network foundation of the airline, alongside seasonal and international charter activity. The service was aimed at price-sensitive leisure and general passenger demand rather than premium long-haul travel.
Leisure aviation
International charter flights
The airline operated charter services from Turkey to international leisure destinations, including flights arranged for tour operators. Its charter activity also included special full-charter operations serving tourists and Turkish guest workers, making seasonal demand an important part of its commercial model.
Airline support and wet-lease services · 2019
Holiday Europe aircraft and crew services
After Holiday Europe was established in 2019, Onur Air supported the partly owned leisure carrier by providing aircraft and crews for flights between Europe and Mediterranean destinations. The associated operation ended after Holiday Europe's operating licence was revoked in October 2021.
Controversies
2005
European safety and access restrictions
Onur Air faced temporary restrictions from aviation authorities in Germany, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands after inspections and reported incidents raised concerns about aircraft condition and operational safety. The episode escalated into a dispute involving reciprocal Turkish restrictions on German airlines before access was restored following negotiations and reviews.
Brand decisions
2021
Suspend operations after licence renewal failureOtherBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to financial instability, and negotiations aimed at restoring the airline's financial position failed.
Action taken
Turkish aviation authorities did not renew Onur Air's operating licence, and the airline suspended all operations in December.
Aftermath
The airline lost its usable fleet when its final airworthy aircraft was repossessed in February 2022 and was declared bankrupt in April 2022.
2019
Create a partly owned leisure subsidiaryStrategyBackground
Onur Air sought to extend its leisure and international charter presence through a separate airline operation serving European and Mediterranean markets.
Action taken
It established Holiday Europe and supplied the subsidiary with aircraft and crews.
Aftermath
Holiday Europe's operating licence was revoked in October 2021.
2019
Transfer operations to Istanbul AirportStrategyBackground
The opening of Istanbul Airport required airlines to relocate operations from Istanbul Atatürk Airport.
Action taken
Onur Air moved its flights from Atatürk Airport to Istanbul Airport by 6 April 2019.
Aftermath
Istanbul Airport became the airline's operating location after the former commercial base was replaced.
Recent events
- 2022
Turkish court declares Onur Air bankrupt[1]
Bankruptcy · Lawsuit
A Turkish court declared Onur Air bankrupt in April after legal proceedings initiated by a former employee. Its last airworthy aircraft had already been repossessed by the lessor in February.
- 2021
Holiday Europe's operating licence is revoked[1]
Regulation
Holiday Europe, a partly owned leisure subsidiary supported by Onur Air with aircraft and crews, lost its operating licence.
- 2021
Onur Air operations suspended after licence renewal fails[1]
Regulation · Bankruptcy
Turkish aviation authorities did not renew Onur Air's operating licence in December after efforts to restore financial stability during the COVID-19 crisis failed. The airline suspended all operations.
- 2011
Eurofighter interception follows missed air-traffic-control contact[1]
Other
An Onur Air Airbus A321 operating near Germany and Austria was intercepted by four Eurofighter Typhoons after its pilot failed to contact Munich air-traffic control.
- 2007
Cargo hold opens during landing at Istanbul Atatürk Airport[1]
Other
The cargo hold of an Onur Air McDonnell Douglas MD-88 opened during landing at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, causing luggage to spill onto the runway.
- 2007
Cabin-pressure emergency on charter flight[1]
Other
An Onur Air Airbus A321 operating a charter flight from Dalaman to Birmingham experienced a loss of cabin pressure and made an emergency landing at Istanbul Atatürk Airport. Passenger accounts reported oxygen-mask deployment and other onboard problems.
- 2005
Dutch authorities temporarily restrict Onur Air flights[1]
Regulation · Other
The Netherlands denied Onur Air access to its airspace for approximately a month following several reported incidents. Permission to operate to and from the Netherlands was restored on 24 May after negotiations.
- 2003
Onur Air flight overshoots runway at Groningen Airport Eelde[1]
Other
Onur Air Flight 2263, operated by a McDonnell Douglas MD-88, overshot the runway after an aborted take-off at Groningen Airport Eelde. No injuries were reported, although the incident was associated with allegations of safety breaches.
Sources1 sources
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