Monday, September 16, 2024 In a notable development, Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) revealed that Turkish Airlines (TK) would inaugurate a direct flight service connecting Istanbul (IST) to Sydney, with an intermediate stop in Kuala Lumpur (KUL) starting December 5, 2024. This new route is set to operate four times per week and will stand out as the only direct return flight to Istanbul available from any Australian airport. SYD has experienced significant growth in its airline network over the past two years, with Turkish Airlines becoming the eighth new addition to the airport’s roster of over 50 airlines.
This expansion reflects a broader trend of increasing connectivity and competition among global airlines. Aircraft and Configuration For this route, Turkish Airlines plans to utilize the Airbus A350-900. This aircraft will be configured to accommodate a total of 329 passengers, including 32 seats in Business Class and 297 seats in Economy Class.
The Business Class seats will be arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring direct aisle access for each passenger, while Economy Class will feature a standard 3-3-3 seating arrangement. In the future, the airline intends to transition this route to a non-stop service, which will enhance convenience for travelers heading to Türkiye or connecting through Istanbul to Turkish Airlines’ extensive network of 340 destinations across 130 countries. This move is expected to significantly improve travel efficiency and options for passengers.
The new route boosts SYD’s role as a key European gateway and amplifies Turkish Airlines’ global connectivity. Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport holds a substantial share of Australia’s flight traffic to Europe, with approximately 38% of all flights between Australia and Europe passing through it. The introduction of Turkish Airlines’ service, which covers 110 European destinations—more than any other airline—is anticipated to bolster this percentage further and solidify SYD’s role as a key hub in international travel.
Scott Charlton, the CEO of Sydney Airport, expressed his pleasure at the development, highlighting the significance of Turkish Airlines’ choice to commence its direct service from Sydney. Charlton noted that this decision is a strong endorsement of Sydney and New South Wales, reflecting the city and state’s appeal to international airlines. Passengers will benefit from Turkish Airlines’ award-winning service on the route between Sydney and Istanbul, which includes a stop in Kuala Lumpur until the transition to a non-stop service is completed.
Turkish Airlines officials hailed the new Sydney route as a game-changer, with Prof. Ahmet Bolat emphasizing it as a leap forward in global connectivity and exceptional passenger experiences. Prof.
Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, also remarked on the milestone represented by the new Sydney route. Bolat emphasized that this new service marks a significant expansion of Turkish Airlines’ global network and underscores the airline’s commitment to connecting passengers with diverse opportunities and experiences. The introduction of this route is expected to enhance the airline’s connectivity and offer more seamless travel options to and from Australia.
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