Turkish Airlines, which proudly boasts that it flies to more nations than any other carrier, plans to add another country to its list of destinations, confirming that it is eyeing direct flights to New Zealand via Auckland. 

Speaking at the recent Turkish Airlines Management Summit 2025 in Antalya, Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat said that the national carrier planned to fly to NZ via Singapore – and that the new service would expand TK’s flight network to become the world’s largest, Turizm Ekonomi reported. 

Parked Turkish Airlines jets in Istanbul.
Parked TK jets in Istanbul.

It would also make Turkish the only European carrier to fly to New Zealand, thus giving it the only direct link between NZ and Europe. That said, Qatar Airways and Emirates already fly nonstop between Auckland and the Middle East and thus can connect New Zealanders with the UK and Europe with one stop (versus two with stops in Singapore and Istanbul for Turkish Airlines).

So until, it offers a non-stop service to Auckland, like it has promised Sydney and Melbourne “in the near future”, the service would likely be less appealing for most travellers than what’s currently on offer. 

Turkish Airlines Gala Event_Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat (Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines)Turkish Airlines Gala Event_Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat (Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines)
Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat in Melbourne.

During the summit, Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated the carrier is eyeing new destinations in Africa, Asia and the US, with Bolat confirming that TK would commence a new service to Minneapolis (USA) in April or May and restart flights to Damascus in Syria this month. 

One of the world’s largest carriers, Turkish started flying in 1933 and now services 350 destinations in about 130 countries.

Late last year, Turkish Airlines touched down in Sydney for the first time after launching its inaugural Australian flights from Istanbul to Melbourne earlier in the year.

Turkish Airlines' touchdown in Sydney. © Kurt AmsTurkish Airlines' touchdown in Sydney. © Kurt Ams
Turkish Airlines’ touchdown in Sydney. © Kurt Ams

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