Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa’s joint venture, SunExpress, brought in 1.8 billion euros in revenue in 2023—a 21% rise over the previous year. Eighty-five% was the airline’s reported occupancy rate. SunExpress plans to launch 28 new routes in the summer of 2024 in an effort to create the greatest flying network in its history.
Max Kownatzki, CEO of SunExpress, stated: “This year, Turkey remains a top destination for travellers.” The high level of demand observed in 2023 is also evident in the reservation numbers for this year. Turkey stands out as a top tourist destination because of its abundance of activities, unique experience chances, and excellent price-to-performance ratio. We have increased the number of direct flights that SunExpress offers to Turkey. “As the Turkish tourism market prepares to grow, we are doing our part as Turkey’s tourism ambassador,” he stated.
The largest flight network connecting Turkey and Europe
SunExpress is raising its seat capacity by 19% this summer in addition to adding 28 additional
destinations to its airline network as part of its 2024 summer programme. The airline has scheduled services to over 200 locations in 35 countries.
SunExpress now operates flights to 67 locations from Antalya, Izmir, Dalaman, and Bodrum-Milas airports, including 18 new routes along the Turkish Riviera.
New UK routes include:
Antalya – Leeds/Bradford and London/Stansted
Dalaman – Edinburgh
Gaziantep – London/Stansted
Additionally, SunExpress now offers direct flights from 15 cities in Anatolia to 18 locations in Europe and 3 destinations in the Middle East, adding 10 new international routes to its Anatolia-Europe flight network. Kownatzki continued, “As SunExpress, we continue to support the local tourism of Anatolian cities while reuniting our guests of Turkish origin living in Europe with their families and loved ones.”
15 million passengers in 2024 SunExpress hopes to transport 15 million passengers this year, surpassing the previous high of 12.6 million in 2023.
“We continue to contribute to Turkey reaching its target of 60 million tourists,” Kownatzki added, expressing their determination to make Turkey a year-round travel destination. “Together with the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, we continue our efforts to promote Turkish tourism abroad and highlight Turkey as a versatile travel route that combines adventure, sports and relaxation, as well as history and culture,” he stated.
One in two German tourists travelling to Turkey took a SunExpress flight
In 2023, SunExpress accounted for over half of all visitors arriving in Turkey from Germany. Germany sent 6.2 million tourists to Turkey in the previous year. Germany is now the second-largest market for Turkish tourists, according to this figure.
Fresh job prospects
By the end of 2025, SunExpress hopes to have employed about 1300 individuals in ground services, cockpit, cabin, line maintenance, and general manager roles in accordance with its expansion strategy.
The fleet will double in a decade
SunExpress placed the largest aircraft order in the history of the company last year. The airline plans to expand its fleet to 166 aircraft by 2035, from the present 77 Boeing 737s it uses for operations. “With our flights between Turkey and Europe, we have once again demonstrated that we are an important stakeholder for tourism,” Kownatzki said. “The growth we plan is an indication of our commitment to Turkish tourism,” he added.
Source: turizmguncel.com
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