Founded as a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, SunExpress celebrated its 35th anniversary with a special conference themed “35 Years of Sun and Beyond.” The event, held in Antalya, brought together key figures from the aviation and tourism sectors.
Contribution to Turkish Tourism Discussed
The conference addressed the growing role of Turkish tourism, airport investments, and the sector’s development. Industry representatives evaluated opportunities in various fields, such as cultural tourism, gastronomy, and sports tourism.
Highlighting the airline’s growth, SunExpress CEO Max Kownatzki stated:
“Over the past 35 years, we have carried more than 150 million passengers. We proudly hold the title of Europe’s Best Leisure Airline. As Turkey’s tourism ambassador, we will continue to grow and create value.”
SunExpress Deputy CEO Tuncay Eminoğlu added:
“We remain committed to providing our passengers with a safe and comfortable travel experience. With our expanding fleet and increasing destinations, we will continue contributing to Turkish tourism.”
85-Aircraft Fleet and 15 New Routes by 2025
By 2025, SunExpress will expand its fleet to 85 aircraft. Additionally, the airline will introduce 15 new international routes for the summer season, further growing its network.
New flight destinations:
- From Antalya: Glasgow, Liverpool, Amman, Chișinău
- From Izmir: Cork
- From Dalaman: London Stansted, Glasgow, Newcastle
- From Balıkesir: Stuttgart
- From Bursa: Düsseldorf, Stuttgart
- From Ordu-Giresun: Düsseldorf
- From Erzurum: Düsseldorf
- From Kayseri: Hanover, London Stansted
Kownatzki emphasized the strong demand for Turkey, stating:
“Compared to 2024, summer bookings have already increased by 27%.”
Key Milestones of SunExpress
- 1989: Founded as a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa.
- 1990: First flight operated between Frankfurt and Antalya.
- 2010: Fleet grew to 25 aircraft, annual passenger count surpassed 2.4 million.
- 2019: Passenger numbers exceeded 10 million.
- 2022: Named “World’s Best Leisure Airline” by Skytrax.
- 2024: Fleet expanded to 77 aircraft, serving 15 million passengers.
About SunExpress
Established in 1989 in Antalya, SunExpress is a leading leisure airline connecting Turkey and Europe with over 35 years of experience. Operating in 35 countries with a network of over 200 routes, the airline continues its operations with more than 4,500 employees.
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