SunExpress to Launch 7 New International Routes from Izmir
SunExpress, a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, is set to expand its capacity for flights from Izmir in the summer of 2024. The airline will introduce seven new routes, offering a total of 351 weekly flights on domestic and international routes from Izmir. SunExpress aims to transport 15 million passengers in 2024, with 4.7 million of them traveling through Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport.
CEO’s Statement
SunExpress CEO Max Kownatzki emphasized the airline’s commitment to connecting Izmir with the world, stating, “As the main carrier of Izmir, we continue to link Izmir to the world and vice versa. This summer, with the introduction of seven new routes, we have reached our most extensive network from Izmir to date. Izmir offers diverse travel experiences throughout the year. As Turkey’s tourism ambassador, we are dedicated to promoting Izmir’s rich history, cultural heritage, and unique nature to visitors from around the globe. We will continue to contribute to the promotion of Izmir and Turkish tourism.”
New and Existing Destinations
SunExpress will offer direct flights to a record number of destinations from Izmir, with a total of 58 destinations, including 46 international ones. The new international routes include Madrid, Prague, Pristina, Rome, Sarajevo, Tirana, and Warsaw. Additionally, the airline will increase the frequency of flights on many existing international routes, providing 271 weekly international flights from Izmir.
Domestic Routes
Domestically, SunExpress will operate flights from Izmir to 12 Turkish cities: Adana, Antalya, Diyarbakır, Erzurum, Gaziantep, Kayseri, Konya, Malatya, Mardin, Samsun, Trabzon, and Van.
Market Share in Izmir
In 2023, SunExpress was the primary carrier for international travelers to and from Izmir, transporting over 50% of the passengers. Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport handled 4.1 million international passengers, with 2.3 million of them flying with SunExpress.
This significant expansion underscores SunExpress’s role in enhancing connectivity and supporting tourism in Izmir and Turkey at large.
