Sydney Airport And Turkish Airlines Launch New Sydney-Istanbul Flights

Turkish Airlines will commence its first-ever service to Sydney in December 2024, introducing direct flights between Australia and Istanbul.

This highly anticipated route will be the first non-stop service from Sydney to Istanbul, initially operating four times per week via Kuala Lumpur, starting on 5 December.

The flights will be operated by an Airbus A350-900, accommodating 329 passengers with 32 seats in Business Class and 297 in Economy. Once the service transitions to a non-stop route, it will provide a quick, seamless connection to Istanbul, where travelers can access more than 340 destinations across 130 countries through Turkish Airlines' vast global network.

This new service—Sydney Airport’s eighth new airline in two years—further solidifies the airport's status as Australia's leading gateway to Europe.

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton commented: “This direct flight represents a significant milestone for travel to Europe, offering passengers seamless access to Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul hub.”

“With over 15,000 Turkish-born Australians living in New South Wales and Türkiye being a popular destination for Australian travellers, we expect strong demand for this new service.”

Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat, announced flights to Melbourne in 2023, with the inaugural flight arriving in March this year.

“Today marks a significant milestone for Turkish Airlines as we proudly commence our journey into Sydney Airport,” said Turkish Airlines Chairman, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat.

“This new route not only expands our global network but also reaffirms our commitment to connecting passengers with new opportunities and experiences. Sydney represents a vibrant gateway to the Southern Hemisphere, and we are excited to offer our travelers unparalleled access to this dynamic city. Visitors will have a wide range of accommodation options, including furnished apartments in Sydney, which provide the comfort and convenience of a home-like stay, perfect for both short-term and extended visits.”

The new route is expected to generate over $53 million in visitor expenditure within its first year and create more than 290 jobs in NSW. The NSW Government collaborated closely with Sydney Airport and Turkish Airlines to secure the service, which is anticipated to further boost the state’s visitor economy. With the influx of international travelers, demand for Sydney hotel accommodation is set to rise, offering visitors a range of options from luxury hotels to serviced apartments, ensuring a comfortable stay in the heart of the city.

The inaugural Turkish Airlines flight is scheduled to arrive in Sydney on 5 December 2024 at 6:30pm AEST.