It took more than two years of heavy negotiations to create the conditions Turkish Airlines wanted to launch flights from Istanbul to Australia, with the airline wanting certainty around operating daily nonstop flights to both Melbourne and Sydney. The significant hurdles included air rights between Turkey and Australia, ultra-long-haul aircraft technology and fifth-freedom rights if an Asian stopover was required.

Where to start the first service

When negotiations started in 2022, Turkish Airlines (Turkish) had the rights to operate seven flights a week to Australia from Turkey but wanted to be sure that when it went to a second destination it would have at least 14 weekly flights. In July 2023, Turkish Airlines Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat was in Melbourne to talk with Melbourne Airport and other stakeholders, and he made it clear that the issues on air rights and aircraft technology had to be resolved before any flights could commence.

Turkish Airlines Airbus A350-900

Photo: Airbus

In December, the Australian government relented and granted Turkish 21 weekly flights and fifth-freedom rights between Singapore and Australia, with weekly flights increasing to 28 in 2024 and 35 in 2025. Turkish was also satisfied that modifications to the Airbus A350 would allow it to fly nonstop from Istanbul to Melbourne or Sydney and placed orders with Airbus, among an overall order for more than 200 aircraft.

Turkish A350-900 shutterstock_2375854991

Photo: Kevin Hackert | Shutterstock

Melbourne Airport was selected as the first destination, and in March this year, Turkish commenced flights from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Melbourne Airport (MEL) with a short stopover at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). From March 1 to March 5, the route was operated with a Boeing 777-300, which changed to a 787-9 Dreamliner from March 6 until March 30, 2024, and from April 1, Turkish has been using the Airbus A350-900.

Turkish Airlines Boeing 777 at Melbourne Airport March 2024

Photo: Melbourne Airport

A second Australian destination

Today, Turkish Airlines announced it would commence flying from Istanbul (IST) to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) on December 4, 2024, using the Airbus A350-900 widebody. Initially, the service will operate four times weekly, departing Istanbul on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, but this service will transit through Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur International Airport, giving Turkish a second Asian destination between Turkey and Australia.

Turkish Airlines A350 TC-LGL at Turkish Technic hangar

Photo: Turkish Technic

Having interviewed Professor Bolat, I am not surprised at the transit through Kuala Lumpur rather than Singapore, as he is an out-of-the-box thinker, always looking for ways to sweeten a deal to maximize the chances of a new route’s success. He has also enjoyed making Melbourne and Sydney compete, and today, he added more spice by saying that when the aircraft arrive the first nonstop flights will be to Sydney.

Turkish Airlines Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines

Photo: Turkish Airlines

Speaking today, he said Turkish was happy to announce the launch of the Sydney route and that it would open another chapter for the airline on the continent. Bolat added:

“This new route not only enhances our flight network but also reaffirms our commitment to our presence in Australia as we connect our guests to new opportunities and experiences with the comfort and hospitality of Turkish Airlines.”

Turkish Airlines A350 aircraft

Photo: MBekir | Shutterstock

It will be interesting to watch how this develops over the next year or so and whether Turkish or Qantas will be the first to operate nonstop flights from Sydney or Melbourne to Europe. That is the Holy Grail for the thousands of Turkish-born diaspora and their families living in Melbourne and Sydney, who have had to endure Qantas flights that pass over Turkey or trips requiring a change of aircraft along the route.

With flights due to commence in less than three months, tickets went on sale today and will be warmly welcomed by Australians still suffering from high prices, although sales are starting to appear as competition heats up for international flights. Turkish is now a viable option for flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Turkey and Eastern Europe, as well as the Asian gateways of Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

It has also been intriguing to watch how these deals have come about, which left Qatar Airways management scratching their heads after the Australian government summarily rejected their request to increase flights to Australia last year. Turkish Airlines and its Chairman have managed the process perfectly, and given the resources and track record behind the airline, Australians have much to look forward to in 2025.

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