Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) 8/26/11

[Matt Molnar]

We made an overnight stop in Istanbul for crew rest enroute to Rwanda from Seattle. Originally scheduled to land at IST, enroute we were told no slots were available so we diverted to the city's secondary airport, SAW. SAW serves as a hub for Pegasus Airlines, Sun Express, AnadoluJet (LCC owned by Turkish Airlines) and others, and it gets a good amount of cargo action, as well. Of course, the old Russian metal was the most exciting part...


Ilyushin IL-18 with a Kazakhstan flag (Unknown airline/reg)


Deta Air Ilyushin IL-62M UP-16209


Saravia - Saratov Airlines Yakolev Yak-42 RA-42316


Pegasus Boeing 737-800 TC-AAN


Silk Way Boeing 747-400F 4K-800


Evergreen International Boeing 747-200F N490EV


Airside view of the Sabiha Gökçen International Airport terminal.


Sun Express Boeing 737-800 TC-SNN


Pegasus Boeing 737-800 TC-AAO

[steve1840]

Nice variety of shots Matt. Those Russian birds are terrific! Thanks for sharing!

[PhilDernerJr]

Yeah! I was waiting for these. Love em. :)

IL-18s are probably my favorite Russian airplanes.

[jerslice]

I'm super jealous of that IL-18...like a russianized DC7

[Zee71]

Matt ..... great stuff! I almost thought that was a Delta IL-62, till I rubbed my eyes. The IL-62 is one of my favorites.

[MarkLawrence]

Great stuff Matt!!! Those are rare catches!!!

[Cary]

The IL-18 looks to be Mega Air:


Sweet catches.

[JDANDO]

Great set! Looks like quite the adventure!

[gonzalu]

That is a terrific set, thanks for the variety from the usual 'bus and B'ings