Turkish Airlines Has Considered Australian Route Expansion
The airline is planning to boost its Australian presence by adding new services to Brisbane and Perth airports.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Australia and New Zealand
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Turkish Airlines is evaluating the addition of Brisbane and Perth to its Australian network after experiencing a 19% increase in passenger traffic over the last year. The carrier currently operates eight weekly services into Melbourne and Sydney, maintaining load factors above 85%.
Why it matters
The airline aims to utilize its remaining traffic rights to meet strong demand for point-to-point and onward travel. This potential expansion would significantly widen its reach beyond its current Australian hubs.
The airline operates 8 weekly services out of its total 35 allowed traffic rights to Australia. Current Australian routes maintain load factors exceeding 85%.
The players
Turkish Airlines
This national flag carrier of Turkey connects passengers to a massive global network through its primary hub at Istanbul Airport.
Brisbane Airport
This major aviation hub serves as the primary gateway for international and domestic travel in Queensland, Australia.
Perth Airport
This facility is the primary international airport serving Western Australia and a key connection point for regional flights.
The details
The airline plans to transition to nonstop flights from Istanbul Airport by mid-2027 using Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. Currently, the Sydney route operates with a stopover, which will shift from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore on October 26.
Timeline
Turkish Airlines inaugurated its first service to Australia in 2024.
The Sydney route will transition to a Singapore stopover on October 26, 2026.
Nonstop service using A350-1000 aircraft is expected by mid 2027.
Travel Outlook
This potential expansion follows the established pattern of major carriers increasing connectivity between European hubs and key Australian cities. It reflects a strategic move to capture rising demand for long-haul travel between Istanbul and the Australian market.
Travelers should monitor official flight schedule updates as the airline prepares for potential new routes to Brisbane and Perth. Passengers on the Sydney service should prepare for the transition to the new Singapore stopover routing starting in late October.
The takeaway
Expanding airline routes generally leads to increased competitive pricing and more direct connectivity options for long-haul passengers. Travelers planning future trips to Australia should look for potential non-stop options as the airline transitions to larger, more efficient aircraft.
Further reading
Learn more about travel trends in the region at Australia and New Zealand.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Simple Flying.
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