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Türkiye's flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, plans to expand its United Kingdom network with flights to London City Airport and prepares to launch nonstop services from Istanbul to major Australian cities, including Sydney and Melbourne, chairman Murat Seker said.
The plans were outlined during the Farnborough International Airshow on July 20-24, where Seker discussed Turkish Airlines' growth, its expanding position in global aviation and the carrier's longer-term plans to strengthen its fleet and expand its flight network.
Turkish Airlines currently operates from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh in the U.K. The carrier is now targeting London City Airport as an additional destination in the British market, Seker told The Times.
The carrier is also looking farther east, with plans to connect Istanbul directly with major cities in Australia. The arrival of new-generation Airbus A350 aircraft is expected to enable Turkish Airlines to launch nonstop flights to Australia, with Sydney and Melbourne among the cities highlighted.
The Australia plan forms part of a wider fleet and network expansion. Turkish Airlines aims to grow its fleet to about 850 aircraft over the next 10 years, increase annual revenue to more than $50 billion and reach 350 international destinations.
The airline also plans about $50 billion in new aircraft investments at list prices during the period, Seker explained.
Türkiye's location gives Turkish Airlines a key advantage, with Istanbul serving as a transfer hub between Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East and offering passengers traveling east from Europe an average of 18,000 flight options.
The airline is also expanding its passenger offering alongside its fleet and network plans. Turkish Airlines is preparing new "crystal business class" suites designed to provide greater privacy, while a premium economy cabin is planned to sit between economy and business class.
The premium economy cabin is expected to enter service on new A350 aircraft in 2028.
The carrier is also investing in accommodation services for transit passengers, in-flight entertainment and catering, while its global sponsorship strategy is also part of the broader international expansion, the report noted.
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