Turkish Airlines to Launch New Flights between Sydney and Istanbul

SYDNEY- The flag carrier of Turkiye, Turkish Airlines (TK) will commence flight operations in Sydney (SYD) this December. The airline plans four weekly flights from Sydney via Kuala Lumpur (KUL), with direct Istanbul (IST)-Sydney routes slated for 2026.

This expansion follows Turkish Airlines’ existing A350 services from Melbourne (MEL) through Singapore (SIN). Istanbul, the airline’s hub, connects to 110 European destinations, surpassing all other airlines globally.

Photo: Eurospot

Turkish Airlines Sydney to Istanbul

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton refuted claims of airport capacity issues. He highlighted the addition of eight new airlines in two years and ongoing discussions with international carriers.

Charlton revealed that Sydney Airport currently utilizes 65% of its slots, with 10% availability during morning peak hours. This contradicts perceptions of the airport being at full capacity.

Sydney Airport witnessed 2.6 million travelers during the December 2023 holiday peak, a 500,000 increase from the previous year. Recent data shows 10 million passengers in the last quarter, reaching 95% of pre-pandemic levels.

Turkish Airlines, following a massive Airbus order in 2023, awaits 220 new aircraft deliveries. The airline plans to utilize A350-1000s for the Sydney-Istanbul route.

The Australian government granted Turkish Airlines fifth freedom rights in late 2023, allowing up to 35 weekly services to Australia with Middle East or South-East Asian stopovers.

Photo: RVA Aviation Photography (Robin Van Acker) | Flickr

Qatar Airways Controversy

This expansion occurs amidst controversy surrounding the government’s rejection of Qatar Airways (QR) bid to double its Australian flights. The decision sparked a Senate inquiry and allegations of Qantas’s undue influence on government policy.

Qatar Airways’ blocked expansion would have potentially lowered European route airfares and boosted tourism revenue.

Turkish Airlines formally applied for bilateral air rights with Australia in late 2023, marking a significant move in the country’s aviation landscape. Simultaneously, Qatar Airways has resubmitted its application for increased flights, following a controversial rejection in 2023.

New Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson has stated the airline will not oppose Qatar Airways’ latest application, potentially signaling a shift in the competitive dynamics of Australia’s international air travel market.

Photo: Burçin Gönenli | Linkedin Page

Flight to Melbourne

Turkish Airlines inaugurated the Istanbul to Melbourne flight via Singapore on March 1, 2024, with Boeing 777-300ER.

Initially, the airline served the route with Boeing 787 for three times a week. But since April, the airline has been serving the route with six weekly flights using its flagship Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

Melbourne is Turkish Airlines’ 346th overall destination and Australia is its 130th country. Turkish is the only European carrier that operates flights to and from Melbourne.

Melbourne is home to the highest number of Turkey-based people. So, Turkish Airlines aims to target the Visiting Friends and Family relatives (VFR)

With the delivery of the Airbus A350-1000, the ultra-long-range aircraft in 2026, Turkish Airlines will launch non-stop flights from Turkey to Australia.

The entry of Turkish Airlines and the potential expansion of Qatar Airways could introduce more competition on routes to Europe and the Middle East. However, airfare dynamics are influenced by factors beyond competition alone.

Global conflicts involving major oil-producing regions, particularly Russia and the Middle East, are driving up jet fuel costs. This upward pressure on fuel prices directly impacts airline operating expenses and, consequently, airfares.

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