Written by ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
Turkish Airlines’ inaugural flight to Australia began when flight TK168 from Istanbul touched down in Melbourne on March 2.
With a regular service due to start on March 15, the airline is already eyeing Sydney by the end of the year.
Victoria’s Minister for Small Business Natalie Suleyman was on hand to welcome flight TK168.
The airline will offer three services a week with a stopover in Singapore but with the potential for a daily non-stop service. The services are due to operate to winter and summer schedules.
The Melbourne service will be flown by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner for the winter schedule and an Airbus A350-900 for the summer service.
A daily Turkish Airlines service would add 109,500 seats to Melbourne Airport each year, deliver an annual $132 million economic boost and create 840-plus jobs.
Victorian Minister for Jobs and Industry Natalie Hutchins said the new service reflected the state’s international aviation sector “continuing to go from strength to strength”.
“With more airlines choosing Melbourne, we’re boosting tourism, trade, international education, business connections and local jobs.”
Ms Suleyman pointed out that Victoria is home to Australia’s largest Turkish community.
“All Victorians will benefit from more direct flights out of Melbourne, boosting local tourism across our state creating jobs and supporting small businesses.”
Melbourne Airport Chief Executive Officer Lorie Argus said they were “thrilled” that the airline chose her airport to launch its Australian operations.
Turkish Airlines Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat said: ‘’As the airline flying to more countries than any other, we are glad to add Australia to our flight network.
“Hosting the largest Turkish community in Australia, Melbourne has been on our radar for a long time and I believe our flights will be beneficial to everybody.
“We have realized our goal of reaching the continent of Australia, which we have been successfully working on for a while, with the confirmed flight date,” he said.
“… we are excited to add Melbourne as our 346th destination to our flight network. Australia, with its natural beauty and hospitable people, becomes the 130th country and 6th continent under our wings.”
He also said “in coming years, we plan to strengthen our presence in this beautiful country by increasing the frequency of our flights and the number of our destinations”.
Lim Ching Kiat is the Executive Vice-President of Air Hub and Cargo Development at Changi Airport, Singapore. He congratulated the airline on their inaugural flight and especially for choosing his airport as the stopover point between Istanbul and Australia.
“Turkish Airlines’ connecting passengers can be assured that they will be well taken care of, and will be presented with the best experience during their layover.
“Changi Airport is Europe’s most served Asian airport, as well as Australia’s busiest international gateway. Our strong network will offer the passengers of Turkish Airlines many options for their onward journeys. We look forward to deepening our partnership with Turkish Airlines.”
The new flights are expected to strengthen Victoria’s access to key European, Middle Eastern, Balkan and African markets via Istanbul.
The Türkiye, Middle East and Africa region is a major trading partner of Victoria; two-way trade was valued at $5.48 billion in 2022-23. The airline claims it is the only European airline currently flying to Melbourne.
Tasman Aircraft 