Turkish Airlines will launch in Australia, beginning flights from Melbourne Airport in mid-March 2024.
The flights will officially begin on March 16 and operate three times a week.
Initially, the route will include a stop-over at Singapore, but it’s expected by 2025-2026 there will be direct flights to Turkey when the airline purchases long-range aircraft that can fly 18 hours non-stop.
Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said he also hopes the airline can operate daily sometime in the future.
“The greater number of seats and services into our great city, we see airfares dropping and a lot more competition coming into the market which is great for consumers,” Parashos said.
“We know that Melbourne’s large Turkish community will be thrilled by the news by a direct service into Istanbul.”
Parashos said the airline also offer stops in Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Victorian Minister for Jobs and Industry Natalie Hutchins said 840 jobs in tourism and exports will be created locally with the airline’s arrival
“We know there are more Victorians looking to plan trips overseas and this is a welcome addition, and we look forward to the services being able to expand in the years to come,” she said.
(7 NEWS)
