TURKISH Airlines will add a second service to Australia with four direct flights between Istanbul and Sydney starting from December 5.
The new service is expected to deliver an extra 68,620 inbound seats to Sydney Airport in its first year, creating more than 290 jobs and an estimated $53 million in revenue.
Initially the route will involve a refuelling stop in Kuala Lumpur but will eventually become a non-stop service, opening Europe to Australia as well, the government says.
NSW Tourism Minister John Graham says he is “thrilled” by the news.
“The NSW Government has worked closely with Sydney Airport and Turkish Airlines to secure this new service,” he says, pointing to the role played by the NSW Aviation Attraction Fund.
“Sydney is the gateway to Australia and supporting this new route holds enormous potential for the growth of the state’s visitor economy.”
Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said the announcement was “a significant milestone for travel to Europe”.
“With more than 15,000 Turkish-born Australians in NSW and Türkiye consistently rated as one of the top destinations for Australian travellers, we’re confident this service will be strongly supported,” he says.
Turkish Airlines chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat says the new route “enhances” their global network. The airline began flying to Australia when it launched a service to Melbourne in March.
“Sydney represents a vibrant gateway to the Southern Hemisphere, and we are thrilled to offer our travellers unparalleled access to this dynamic city,” he says.
“This expansion underscores our dedication to growing our network and providing exceptional service, bridging continents and bringing people closer together.”
Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox said the decision coincides with the peak summer season Down Under.
“… these new, direct flights will boost access to NSW from key European markets via Istanbul,” he says.
Turkish Airlines flies to more than 340 destinations in 130 countries.
