Hi AT NOTTS,
The only issue with the istanbul links its cost of flights as you said flexibility is good also ezy is good on that the cost of internal flying in turkey can be costly. From previous experience.
Onur air are very expencive from istanbul to bodrum also pegusus.
We were just over in turkey in sept security has been stepped up with jandarma road blocks back in opperation with all traffic are required to stop as you are flashed and they stand in the road also regular jandarma patrols.
Their is always issues in election years its nothing new the civil unrest was present whilst we have been going for 15yrs nw and for maybe 9 of those years have been unrest years but nothing esculated outside of the fco no go areas.