Turkey’s contact with the government about services to Australia came as international carriers globally struggle to return to full capacity because of issues securing parts, pilots and planes, which has pushed airfares higher.
Ms King is also under pressure to explain why she blocked Qatar Airways from expanding its services to Australia, which experts say would have increased competition and potentially lowered airfares.
Qantas objected to Qatar’s application, at the same time as telling investors to expect record earnings from its international division due to the capacity restrictions.
Ms King’s spokeswoman has declined to provide the government’s views on whether Turkish Airlines should be granted what is known as the fifth freedom of the sky, which would allow it to compete with Qantas and other airlines selling tickets from Melbourne and Sydney.
Turkey is considering daily services to Singapore, as well as Melbourne and Sydney to Istanbul via Singapore. Turkish Airlines chairman Ahmet Bolat said the service would not make commercial sense without the right to sell Australia-Singapore tickets.
“In the 42 hours [that it takes to fly to Australia and back] I can fly to Miami twice. I’m sorry to say that is more profitable than flying to Sydney and Melbourne,” Mr Bolat said, on the basis that the necessary fifth freedoms are out of reach.
In questioning at the inquiry last Wednesday, Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson would not say whether the airline raised objections to the granting of fifth freedoms to Turkey. On Friday, Qantas clarified that it had told Ms King’s department in July that it did not object.
“While we strongly believe in the confidentiality that typically applies to these submissions, given the underlying premise of the question we confirm that Qantas’ response to the department in July 2023 said that we would have no objection to fifth freedom rights being extended to Turkey,” it said.
Documents provided by Ms King’s department to the inquiry show Turkish Airlines first approached assistant secretary Jim Wolfe as far back as November 28 last year, seeking permission to fly to Australia.
“I am pleased to share with you that we are wishing and hoping to fly to Australia with our own brand,” said the general manager of Turkish Airlines for Australia and New Zealand, whose name is redacted from emails provided to the Senate.
“Attached you can find the request I have personally written on behalf of the Turkish Airlines.”
Mr Wolfe replied positively on December 13, saying: “I would be happy to consider discussions with the Turkish aeronautical authority to look at how we could update our arrangements and ensure they can serve the future needs of the market.”
“We look forward to exploring ways to further build air connectivity between Turkiye and Australia,” he said.
On February 15, Turkish Airlines said it wanted to expedite its application, explaining its last correspondence with the Transport Department occurred on June 15.
A spokeswoman for Ms King was contacted on Friday morning but had not responded by the time of publication.