The Onur Air logo points the way, like a compass. Like free, light birds, the brand’s airplanes proudly fly where the Sun and Moon reign. The airliners confidently stay on course, maintaining calm and serenity.
Turkish entrepreneur Cankut Bagana founded Onur Air in Istanbul in 1992. It became one of the early private airlines in Turkish civil aviation, a market still largely shaped by the state flag carrier Turkish Airlines. The company began with a single Boeing 737-300 and first operated domestic routes between major Turkish cities.
In its early years, Onur Air shifted toward charter flights for foreign tourists, mainly from Germany and other parts of Western and Central Europe. Most of this traffic went to Turkey’s Mediterranean resorts, especially Antalya. This model matched the rapid growth of European package tourism to Turkey in the 1990s and helped the airline establish a clear position in the charter market.
To handle seasonal tourist demand, Onur Air expanded beyond the Boeing 737-300 and added larger Boeing 737-400 and 737-800 aircraft. It also operated Airbus A300 and A310 wide-body jets, which gave the airline more seats on busy summer routes between Turkey and Europe. This made the company different from smaller charter rivals that relied mostly on narrow-body aircraft.
Onur Air faced increasing pressure from Pegasus Airlines in low-cost travel and from SunExpress, the joint venture of Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, on routes between Germany and Turkish resorts. The airline also faced financial problems linked to seasonality, fuel prices, currency fluctuations, and tour operator payments. In December 2021, Onur Air stopped all flights. After failed attempts to settle debts with lessors, suppliers, and creditors, the company declared bankruptcy in April 2022, ending a 30-year history.
Meaning and History
What is Onur Air?
Onur Air began operations in 1992 as a private enterprise in the Turkish aviation sector. In May of the same year, the airline operated its first flight from Istanbul to Ercan in Northern Cyprus, beginning its journey as a low-cost carrier. Over time, the airline grew, and by 2003, it carried its ten millionth passenger, a milestone in the company’s history. The airline continued to expand, steadily increasing its fleet size and route network. In 2015, Onur Air celebrated another milestone by carrying its 100 millionth passenger, strengthening its position in the Turkish air transportation market.
1992 – 2022
The Onur Air logo is simple and expressive, reflecting the airline’s core characteristics. At the center of the composition is a red geometric shape resembling an airplane tail or a delta wing. It is placed inside a blue circle, symbolizing the closed nature of routes and a focus on aviation. The circle creates a sense of completeness and stability, tying the logo’s elements together.
The name sits to the right of the emblem as a single line of text. However, it is visually divided into two parts through color: “Onur” is highlighted in deep blue, while “air” is colored gray. Blue evokes associations with the sky, calmness, and reliability, while gray adds restraint and professionalism. The smooth, soft-curve font gives the text a modern appearance. The slight tilt of the letters conveys movement and flight.
The emblem’s red shape stands out in both form and meaning. The name “Onur” translates from Turkish as “pride,” and the shape resembles outstretched bird wings. The sharp lines emphasize speed and precision, which are essential for a company involved in air transportation.
The color palette consists of blue, red, and gray. Blue highlights the connection to the sky and travel, red symbolizes energy and motion, and gray adds restraint and balance. Together, these colors create a harmonious, impactful visual design.
The composition conveys the company’s values: reliability, forward momentum, and high-quality service. The simple forms and well-chosen colors underscore the logo’s modernity and professionalism while maintaining a strong connection to aviation.


