Turkish Airlines has officially applied to initiate flights to Australia, targeting Melbourne and Sydney within the upcoming 12 months.
The application, confirmed by Transport Minister Catherine King, is a significant move for the airline, aiming to expand its extensive international network to the Australian continent.
This development is particularly encouraging for travelers and the industry, as there is a noticeable demand for more capacity to Europe. Interestingly, Qantas, Australia’s largest airline, has chosen not to oppose Turkish Airlines’ application, a contrasting stance to its previous objection to Qatar Airways’ application to increase flights to Australia.
Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) CEO, Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner, welcomed Turkish Airlines’ application, stating it as “good news” for Australia. He emphasized the airline’s extensive international presence and expressed optimism about the potential impact on airfares and travel capacity, especially through the Middle East to Europe and the UK, where there is a significant shortage of seats.
Turner highlighted that Turkish Airlines could potentially offer direct flights from their main base in Istanbul to Australia, significantly impacting travel convenience and options, depending on the commencement and frequency of the flights.
In June, Turkish Airlines hinted at commencing flights to Melbourne later this year, with plans to operate “three times weekly and with a stop in Singapore.” The announcement has generated excitement among travelers and industry stakeholders, with the carrier hosting a gala event at Crown Melbourne to promote the upcoming service.
