After a long wait, Turkish Airlines is landing for the first time in Australia with service between Istanbul and Melbourne via Singapore, providing customers with a connection beyond Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Melbourne is Turkish Airlines’ 346th destination for the first time in the company’s 90 years of operating in an Australian city. The Turkish airline’s arrival means that Tullamarine International Airport now has a record 39 international carriers.
Services between Istanbul and Melbourne will initially operate three times a week via Singapore, with non-stop flights planned when new long-haul aircraft arrive. The inaugural flight was operated on a Boeing 777-300ER, with the Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350-900 taking over the service at a later date.
“Turkish Airlines has an extensive network and flies to more countries than any other airline, so this new competitor in the Australian market is fantastic news for consumers. We have worked closely with the Victorian State Government to bring Turkish Airlines to Melbourne, and we now look forward to growing their services in the coming years,” said Lorie Argus, Melbourne Airport’s chief executive officer.
“This achievement is the result of meticulous planning and extensive infrastructure developments, and symbolizes the success of linking Istanbul to a vibrant new continent,” she said. The inauguration of our route to Melbourne is a testament to our growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region and underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering connections between diverse cultures and communities worldwide,” said Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines.
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