ISTANBUL- Melbourne (MEL) is set to join one of the largest airline networks globally as Turkish Airlines (TK) commences flights from Istanbul (IST) in March 2024.
Turkey’s national carrier officially announced today that Melbourne has been selected as the launch destination for its inaugural flights to Australia.
Turkish Airlines Melbourne Flights
Initially, the service will operate three times a week, making a stopover in Singapore and utilizing a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Turkish Airlines plans to increase the frequency of daily flights gradually and has intentions to establish direct flights between Istanbul and Melbourne once new aircraft are acquired.
With an already extensive network covering the most countries among all carriers globally, including comprehensive connections across Europe and Africa, Turkish Airlines aims to become the sole European airline serving Melbourne Airport, a significant hub for Australia’s largest city.
Executive Insights
Jim Parashos, Chief of Aviation at Melbourne Airport, expressed excitement about the arrival of Turkish Airlines, emphasizing that it will offer Australians convenient connectivity to Turkey and beyond.
“Istanbul, situated across two continents, holds historical significance as a crucial trading post and has evolved into one of the world’s major transit hubs,” he noted.
“We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to Turkish Airlines in Melbourne, appreciating not only its renowned hospitality but also the enhanced travel opportunities it brings.”
“The choice of Melbourne as Turkish Airlines’ first Australian destination is fitting, given our status as the hub for the nation’s largest Turkish community, coupled with our prominence in food, sports, and culture.”
“The successful initiation of these flights is made possible by the federal government’s flexible approach in amending the bilateral air services agreement with Turkey.”
Surge in Travelers
Melbourne Airport achieved a significant milestone last month by becoming the first capital city in Australia to surpass its pre-pandemic international seat capacity. Turkish Airlines’ recent announcement further solidifies this recovery.
“Turkey is already a sought-after holiday destination, and we anticipate that these new flights will inspire more Australians to discover the country’s attractions while enticing visitors from Turkey to explore our remarkable region.”
The inaugural flight departing from Istanbul is scheduled to land on Saturday, March 16, and the Melbourne services will commence with flights operating on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday initially, transitioning to Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday subsequently.
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