Turkish Airlines inaugurated its operations to Sydney with flights via Kuala Lumpur, becoming the airline’s second destination in Australia after Melbourne. The service started with a frequency of four weekly flights, offering Australian travelers greater connectivity to Turkey, Europe, and more than 350 destinations worldwide, according to the company.
Starting in June 2025, the airline will increase its frequency to five weekly flights, reflecting the growing demand for this route. Additionally, Turkish Airlines plans to incorporate the Airbus A350-1000 into its fleet in 2026, enabling direct flights between Istanbul and Australia.
“We are proud to welcome our 50th partner airline, Turkish Airlines, as they launch their inaugural flight to Sydney. This will strengthen our international network and offer passengers even more options and connectivity to Europe and beyond through their extensive hub in Istanbul,” said Scott Charlton, CEO of Sydney Airport.
Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi emphasized that “this momentous occasion marks the longest flight route in the history of Turkish Airlines. We are delighted to add our second Australian city to our flight network. The arrival of our first flight from Istanbul to Sydney represents our continued commitment to connecting travelers worldwide, providing a seamless gateway between Europe and Australia with the comfort and hospitality of Turkish Airlines.”
Sydney’s Kingsford Smith International Airport, which handles 38% of air traffic between Australia and Europe, has established itself as the region’s main international gateway. With the arrival of Turkish Airlines, it is the only Australian airport with operations from two European airlines.
According to Destination NSW, this new service will generate over 53 million Australian dollars in visitor spending during its first year of operation and support the creation of more than 290 local jobs in New South Wales.
