Turkish Airlines is to begin direct flights between Cairo and Trabzon after Mohamed Salah’s unexpected move to Trabzonspor, creating a new travel connection for Egyptian supporters hoping to watch their national team captain in Turkey. The first scheduled services are due to begin on 11 August.
The decision follows Trabzonspor’s completion of a deal to sign Salah, in a surprise development that has reshaped the Turkish transfer market. The former Liverpool star had been widely expected to join Besiktas, who appeared to be in the strongest position to secure his signature during the previous days.
However, Trabzonspor’s management changed the course of the negotiations and completed the signing of the player described as a Liverpool legend. The club subsequently issued an official statement outlining the details of Salah’s arrival, including the agreed length of his contract. It did not disclose the financial value of the deal.
The new air route is expected to meet demand from Egyptian fans who want to follow Salah and see him play for his new club. Turkish newspaper Kuzeyekspres reported that the service was introduced in response to the exceptional popularity enjoyed by Salah among Egyptian and Arab supporters.
The newspaper described the move as being made “in recognition of the exceptional standing Mohamed Salah enjoys among the Egyptian and Arab public, and with the desire to make travel easier and open the way for as many of his fans as possible to visit his new home”.
The direct connection is also expected to support tourism and sporting exchanges between Egypt and Trabzon. The Turkish city is preparing for what is expected to be an unprecedented influx of supporters once the new season begins.
As part of tourism initiatives being carried out in the city, charter flights between Cairo and Trabzon have already started. The first direct charter flight arrived on Thursday carrying 120 passengers.
The new service comes as interest in Trabzonspor grows sharply following the club’s agreement with Salah. The transfer had appeared unlikely for much of the previous week, with Besiktas regarded as the leading contender, before Trabzonspor completed the deal.
The club has confirmed the contract arrangements but has not revealed the transfer fee or other financial terms. Turkish Airlines’ decision to establish the Cairo-Trabzon link reflects the commercial and public interest surrounding Salah’s move, while also providing a more direct route for supporters travelling from Egypt to the city that will become the player’s new base.
Trabzonspor are now preparing for a season in which attention from Egypt and across the Arab world is expected to focus closely on the club, with the direct flights likely to play a role in accommodating the anticipated demand.
