Turkish Airlines has eyes on popular city

Following its success in the Aussie market, Turkish Airline now has its sights set on a neighbouring country.

Turkish Airlines is eyeing New Zealand to add to its flight schedule following its success in Australia.

The national carrier made its debut into the Australian market last year with flights to Istanbul direct from Melbourne and Sydney – and now the airline confirmed Auckland is on its future flight schedule.

Speaking at the Turkish Airlines Management Summit 2025 in Antalya – a resort city in Turkiye – airline chairman Ahmet Bolat said the first Istanbul-Auckland flights would run via Singapore, according to local outlet Turizm Ekonomi.

Turkish Airlines inaugural flight into Sydney on November 30, 2024.

Just like its Istanbul-Melbourne route, passengers will disembark at Singapore’s Changi Airport, with an airport lounge welcoming business class passengers and top-tier frequent flyers – including Star Alliance Gold members such as Air New Zealand Airpoints Gold and Elite cardholders – before rejoining the same plane to continue their journey.

Following its success in Australia it’s now looking over the ditch to New Zealand.

Mr Bolat also revealed the airline is planning to expand its US network with new long-haul services to Minneapolis, USA, reportedly commencing in April or May.

Currently, Turkish Airlines operates flights to 13 cities in the US — Atlanta, Boston, Washington D.C., Houston, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, New Jersey, Dallas, Seattle, and Detroit.

The Istanbul-based airline is preparing to expand its global footprint with new long-haul services to Minneapolis, USA, and Auckland, New Zealand.

Meanwhile, as of January 23, the airline will resume flights to Damascus, Syria, following a 10-year-break and to restore regional connectivity. It also resumed services to Benghazi, Libya as of January 14.

According to its official website, the airline has a 30-country lead over its closest competitor, earning it the Guinness World Records title for the ‘Moat countries flown to by an airline’.

The record certificate was presented at Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport following Turkish Airlines’ inaugural flight to Chile.

It set the record with flights to 120 countries, reflecting only the active routes of the past 12 months.

“As the only airline to hold this distinction for over a decade, we proudly showcase the strength of our flight network and reinforce our mission to connect people, cultures, and destinations around the globe,” Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi said.