Trabzon prepares for Salah supporters as Cairo charter flights begin

Turkish Airlines has announced direct flights between Cairo and Trabzon after Mohamed Salah’s move to Trabzonspor, with the first scheduled service due to operate on 11 August.

The new route is intended to meet expected demand from Egyptian supporters who want to watch the Egypt captain in his new surroundings and follow his progress with the Turkish club.

The decision follows Trabzonspor’s completion of a surprise deal to sign Salah, in a move that has significantly reshaped the Turkish transfer market.

Besiktas had been widely regarded as the leading contender to secure the forward’s signature in recent days. However, Trabzonspor’s officials eventually changed the course of the negotiations and completed the signing of the former Liverpool star.

Trabzonspor issued an official statement outlining the details of Salah’s arrival, including the length of the contract agreed by the two parties. The club did not disclose the financial value of the transfer.

The Turkish newspaper kuzeyekspres reported that the new air connection was introduced to accommodate the anticipated number of Egyptian fans hoping to see their country’s most prominent footballer at close quarters.

The newspaper said the initiative was introduced “in recognition of the exceptional standing Mohamed Salah enjoys among Egyptian and Arab supporters, and with the aim of making travel easier and allowing the largest possible number of his fans to visit his new home”.

As part of tourism initiatives being carried out in Trabzon, charter flights between Cairo and the Turkish city have already begun. The first direct charter flight arrived on Thursday carrying 120 passengers.

The service scheduled to begin on 11 August is expected to strengthen tourism and sporting links between Egypt and Trabzon. The city is preparing for what could be an unprecedented influx of supporters when the new season starts.

Trabzonspor league match tickets are also being promoted to Egyptian fans, with supporters being encouraged to purchase tickets for the club’s Turkish league fixtures.

Salah’s arrival has generated major interest in Trabzon, where the club’s move for the Egypt captain had not been widely expected at the start of the transfer process. Besiktas had appeared to be in the strongest position, but Trabzonspor ultimately secured the agreement and completed a deal for a player described in the report as a Liverpool legend.

The new travel arrangement provides a direct connection between Cairo and Trabzon at a time when interest in the club is rising in Egypt and across the Arab world. Turkish Airlines’ decision reflects the anticipated demand surrounding Salah’s first appearances for Trabzonspor and the desire of supporters to attend matches in person.

The first flight’s passenger total of 120 offers an early indication of the attention being generated by the transfer, while the planned service from 11 August is expected to make it easier for more Egyptian supporters to travel to the city during the season.