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Turkish Airlines has chosen Sydney as its second Australian destination, and the airport says it will be the first in the country to receive non-stop Istanbul services.
The Turkish flag carrier will initially operate four weekly 329-seat A350-900 flights from Sydney to Istanbul via Kuala Lumpur starting on 5 December, with non-stop services to begin in 2026. The route will make Sydney into Australia’s biggest port for Turkish Airlines.
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“We are proud that Turkish Airlines chose Sydney and NSW for their first non-stop service which is a strong endorsement of everything our city and state has to offer. In the meantime, passengers will get to experience Turkish Airlines’ award-winning service from Sydney to Istanbul via Kuala Lumpur in December 2024,” Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said.
“With more than 15,000 Turkish-born Australians in New South Wales, and Türkiye consistently rated as one of the top destinations for Australian travellers, we’re confident this service will be strongly supported.
“Today’s announcement is also incredibly important for the Sydney and NSW economies and speaks to the impact of international aviation in supporting our visitor economy.”
Sydney Airport currently hosts 38 per cent of all European air traffic to Australia, and with the arrival of Turkish Airlines, will be the only Australian airport to host two European carriers at the same time, the other being British Airways.
Turkish Airlines’ chairman of the board and the executive committee, Professor Dr Ahmet Bolat, said the announcement is a “significant milestone” for the airline.
“This new route not only enhances our global network but also reaffirms our commitment to connecting passengers with new opportunities and experiences,” he said.
“Sydney represents a vibrant gateway to the southern hemisphere, and we are thrilled to offer our travellers unparalleled access to this dynamic city.
“This expansion underscores our dedication to growing our network and providing exceptional service, bridging continents and bringing people closer together.”
Melbourne in March became the first Australian destination for Turkish Airlines, which is operating three Istanbul services per week via Singapore.
The Turkish flag carrier was in December granted an initial 21 flights to Australia per week under bilateral air service agreements, increasing to 28 in the latter half of 2024 and 35 next year, as well as the fifth freedom rights necessary to fly via Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
Both Sydney and Melbourne Airports confirmed last June that they had been in talks with Turkish Airlines for flights starting by early 2024. It has ordered 15 longer-range A350-1000s capable of making the non-stop journey from Istanbul to Australia’s east coast.
