Sydney Airport is gearing up for a major aviation milestone this December, when Turkish Airlines will launch its first-ever non-stop flights from Sydney to Istanbul.
Starting 5 December 2024, the airline will initially operate four weekly flights via Kuala Lumpur before transitioning to direct, non-stop service, making Sydney the only Australian city with this exclusive connection to Istanbul.
This new route doesn’t just add another airline to Sydney’s growing roster; it opens a whole new avenue for travellers heading to Türkiye and beyond, with the option to connect to over 340 global destinations through Turkish Airlines’ vast hub in Istanbul.
Non-stop and ready to roll: What this means for travel
For years, Australian travellers have relied on layovers to reach Türkiye and much of Europe. Turkish Airlines is set to change that, offering a faster, more convenient way to fly. The Airbus A350-900, with 329 seats split between Business Class and Economy, will serve the route, giving passengers another option to head directly to one of Europe’s cultural crossroads.
According to Scott Charlton, CEO of Sydney Airport, the new service is a significant boost for both travellers and the local economy.
“This announcement of direct flights marks a significant milestone for travel to Europe, offering passengers seamless access to hundreds of destinations from Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul hub.”
For travellers, this means fewer connections, less time in transit, and a more streamlined experience. But beyond that, it’s a big win for Sydney, which is already home to 38% of all Australia-Europe traffic. Now, with Turkish Airlines on board, Sydney becomes the first Australian airport to host two European carriers, reinforcing its status as the country’s main international gateway.
The ripple effect: How this route boosts NSW tourism
The benefits of this new service go beyond getting people from Point A to Point B. Sydney Airport and the NSW Government are banking on this route to deliver some serious economic returns. Destination NSW estimates that the direct flights could generate more than $53 million in additional visitor spending in the first year alone, with 290 jobs expected to be created.
John Graham, NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism, pointed out the broader benefits of Turkish Airlines’ arrival:
“I am thrilled that Turkish Airlines is touching down in Sydney for the first time, providing European travellers with direct access to our state’s world-class visitor experiences.”
And it’s not all about Sydney. With an increasing number of international flights, the whole state and country expect to attract more tourists, who’ll be spending money at hotels, restaurants, and local attractions. It’s a reminder that international aviation doesn’t just move people—it moves economies.
More airlines, more options
Turkish Airlines is just the latest in a line of new airlines that have joined Sydney Airport in the past two years. Since 2022, the airport has welcomed seven other carriers, including Bamboo Airways and SriLankan Airlines, further expanding its global reach. For travellers, this means more options, more destinations, and hopefully, more competitive pricing.
This uptick in new airline partnerships is a positive sign, especially after the massive hit international aviation took during the pandemic. Sydney Airport has bounced back with impressive growth, reclaiming its place as Australia’s primary international hub. And while competition between airlines is fierce, the introduction of more carriers only strengthens Sydney’s position on the world stage.
Turkish Airlines joins a growing list of airlines helping Sydney secure its role as the top destination for international travel to and from Australia. And with Europe-bound travellers making up a large percentage of Sydney Airport’s traffic, the introduction of this new route is sure to attract plenty of interest.
The introduction of Turkish Airlines also underscores how Sydney Airport is evolving in response to growing demand for direct international services.
In related news
Sydney Airport has teamed up with Uber to launch a new kerbside pick-up zone featuring Uber’s PIN technology—the first of its kind in New South Wales. Starting from 24 September, passengers arriving at the T1 International terminal can book their Uber and head straight to the new pick-up zone, just 20 metres from the terminal doors.
So, how does it work? Instead of matching with a pre-assigned driver, passengers will receive a six-digit PIN code after requesting a ride, which they provide to the next available driver at the pick-up zone. This system, designed for high-traffic areas like airports, has already been shown to reduce wait times by up to 50% at other airports around the world.
Increased convenience and reduced congestion are key goals of this new arrangement, which comes just in time for the busy school holiday travel period. With rideshare now accounting for 50% of all pick-ups at Sydney Airport, this update is set to significantly improve the passenger experience.
While this new technology will be exclusive to the T1 International terminal for now, passengers using other rideshare services will continue to use the existing pick-up area, and the rideshare experience at domestic terminals remains unchanged.
