Turkish Airlines announces direct flights to Sydney in ‘significant milestone’ for carrier

A major global airline has revealed it will offer direct flights to Sydney in what has been labelled a ‘significant milestone’ for the carrier.

The Nightly
Turkish Airlines will offer direct flights from Sydney to Istanbul from December 5. (David Moir/AAP PHOTOS)
Turkish Airlines will offer direct flights from Sydney to Istanbul from December 5. (David Moir/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Turkish Airlines has expanded its offering Down Under in a bid to better connect Europe and Australia.

Four flights a week from Sydney to Istanbul via Kuala Lumpur will operate on an A350-900 from December 5.

Turkish Airlines also confirmed the NSW capital will be the first to get direct flights to Istanbul as it expands its services in Australia.

Sydney Airport confirmed on Thursday that the airline would be joining its growing network of airlines in December, the eighth new airline in two years.

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The arrival of the airline will make it the only Australian airport to have two European carriers, with Destination NSW estimating the new service offering will generate more than $53 million in incremental visitor expenditure over the first year and support more than 290 local jobs in NSW.

“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,” Sydney Airport chief executive Scott Charlton said.

Turkish Airlines chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat said the new offering marks 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.

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