İstanbul Deniz Otobüsleri A.Ş. (İDO) has added a new one to its international lines in the Aegean Sea. The Akçay-Midilli Sea Bus Line, realized in cooperation with Balıkesir Toplu Taşıma AŞ (BTT), an affiliate of Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality, and the BADO brand, was inaugurated with an official ceremony. With the new line, İDO reached its third departure point for its voyages to Midilli, while Akçay began serving as an international customs gate again after 27 years.
Attending the opening ceremony held at Akçayport were Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Akın, Balıkesir Toplu Taşıma A.Ş. General Manager Mustafa Ömür Boyuer, district mayors, İDO General Manager Dr. Murat Orhan, İDO Deputy General Manager Captain İsmail Demir, İDO Revenue Management and Sales Director Aşkın Lermi, along with İDO sales and marketing managers, representatives of public institutions, and many guests.
The Akçay–Midilli line, which will serve with a travel time of approximately 90 minutes, stands out not only as a new transportation alternative connecting the two shores but also as an important step that will revitalize regional tourism, increase cultural interaction, and give new momentum to the local economy. While visitors coming from Midilli will have the opportunity to discover the natural, historical, and gastronomic values of Kazdağları, Akçay, and Edremit, passengers traveling from Turkey to Midilli will also be able to experience the island’s cultural heritage with a comfortable and safe journey.
Contribution to tourism, trade, and cultural access
İDO General Manager Dr. Murat Orhan said the following in his assessment of the new line: “We are strengthening the international transportation network we have established in the Aegean Sea more and more every year. The Akçay–Midilli line is not just a new service connecting two shores; it constitutes a strategic investment supporting regional tourism, trade, and cultural interaction. We are very happy to make the Aegean’s important destinations more accessible thanks to the strong cooperation we have established with BTT and the BADO brand, an affiliate of Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality.”
Orhan stated that İDO will continue its growth strategy in the Aegean islands and also expressed that they will continue to offer passengers safe, comfortable, and fast maritime transportation.
On the İDO Akçay–Midilli line, services will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the season. The ferry departing from Akçayport at 07:30 in the morning will arrive at Midilli Port at 09:00 after a 1.5-hour journey. Returns will be from Midilli Port to Akçayport at 17:30. In addition to Akçay-Midilli, services from Dikili-Midilli and Ayvalık-Midilli will continue to operate every day of the week throughout the season.
7DENİZ
