SunExpress marked a new milestone after carrying over 500,000 passengers through Birmingham Airport (BHX) since it began operations in 2022. The airline, a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, operates routes from Birmingham to Dalaman, Antalya and Izmir. To mark the milestone, SunExpress has joined forces with Birmingham Airport to give away a pair of return flights to Türkiye on BHX’s official social media channels. SunExpress operated over 50 flights to and from Birmingham during the peak summer season. With additional one-stop routes to over 230 destinations, these frequent services also support onwards long-haul travel from Birmingham. The milestone follows a period of growth for SunExpress with significant investment in its UK and Ireland operation. The airline, celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, has seen a fourfold increase in seat capacity in the UK and Ireland since 2022. In 2025, the carrier offers around two million seats in the UK and Ireland market. Following record revenue last year, SunExpress recently announced a target of surpassing 16.8 million passengers in 2025. Birmingham Airport says it remains on track for its busiest year on record in 2025/26. A record 14 million passengers are forecast to travel through the airport this year. Tobias Bracht, Head of Sales for SunExpress, said: “This milestone is a clear sign of the strong demand across the Midlands for affordable and reliable direct flights to Türkiye’s most popular destinations.” “Birmingham remains a key part of our strategy.”

SunExpress, the joint venture of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, is ramping up UK flights due to strong customer demand. The airline is adding 10,000 extra seats across five key routes from the UK to Türkiye this summer. Additional seats will be offered by SunExpress on the following key routes to Türkiye’s most popular holiday destinations between August and October: London Stansted – Antalya Bristol – Antalya Birmingham – Antalya London Gatwick – Antalya Edinburgh – Dalaman SunExpress offers a range of fares with different options including baggage allowances, seat reservations, check-in options and booking flexibility. The fares are offered in a bundle format and can be tailored to customers’ specific needs. In addition to ‘summer sun and beach’ travel, SunExpress caters to travellers seeking cultural, archaeological, and culinary tourism. SunExpress has a strong presence on the Turkish Riviera and in Anatolia. The airline operates in a total of 237 routes to 92 destinations across 35 countries. Tickets are available now via SunExpress.com or via travel agents.

 

• €2.2 billion revenue in 2024, marking a 23% year-on-year increase
• 15 new routes for summer 2025, almost doubled seat capacity compared to the pre-pandemic period
• Fleet of 85 aircraft, aims to carry 16.8 million passengers in 2025
• Accelerated growth in the UK and Ireland

  SunExpress, a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, has reported a record revenue of €2.2 billion for 2024, marking a 23% increase compared to 2023.   Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, the airline revealed that it carried nearly 15 million passengers in 2024.   Almost doubling its seat capacity compared to the pre-pandemic period, SunExpress also announced its target of 16.8 million passengers in 2025.   SunExpress is continuing its expansion with 15 new international routes for Summer 2025 and a growing fleet of 85 aircraft serving 237 routes across 35 countries.   SunExpress CEO, Max Kownatzki, said: "Thanks to our strong financial performance, efficient operations, and high-quality service, we wrapped up a highly successful year. 2024 was a record year for us in terms of both capacity and fleet expansion, achieving the highest revenue and profit in our history. With a team of over 4,000 employees, we served nearly 15 million passengers.”   SunExpress is making significant investments in its UK and Ireland operation as it continues to grow its footprint in the market - its 2nd core source market behind the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland).   In 2025, SunExpress will offer around 2 million seats in the UK and Ireland market - a 25% increase over 2024. This includes the inauguration of new routes across April and May from Glasgow, Liverpool and Cork, taking the airline’s UK and Ireland footprint to 13 departure airports. Almost half (7) of the 15 new routes being launched by SunExpress this summer are from the UK and Ireland.   Highlighting accelerated growth in the region, Kownatzki said: “The UK and Ireland market is of vital strategic importance to SunExpress. With continuing demand for Türkiye as a sought-after holiday destination, we have broadened our footprint from five to 13 airports since 2022, working alongside our travel industry partners to deliver increasing choice and value for customers in the UK and Ireland.”   Commenting on SunExpress’ strong momentum into the peak travel months, Kownatzki added: We have had a solid start to the 2025 summer season, with bookings increasing by 11% year-on-year for the second quarter of the year. Additionally, we are observing a significant rise in interest for the autumn season. This reflects a rising appetite in Türkiye not just for sea and sun vacations, but also for cultural, historical, gastronomic, health and sports tourism.”

  SunExpress, a joint venture of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, launched a new route from Liverpool to Antalya for summer 2025 on Sunday 6^th April.     SunExpress is offering passengers the opportunity to fly direct from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Antalya three times a week, with all flights operated by Boeing 737 aircraft.    Return fares start from just £189.99, offering travellers an affordable and convenient way to experience the stunning Turkish Riviera.    Tobias Bracht, Head of Sales, SunExpress, said: "We are delighted to expand our UK network with the launch of this new route from Liverpool to Antalya. As an airline committed to connecting our passengers and their loved ones to their dream destinations, we are confident that this service will offer those in the North West a convenient and high-quality travel experience to visit the incredible Turkish Riviera.    “Antalya is a world-class destination renowned for its breathtaking coastline, rich history, and exceptional hospitality, and we are excited to make it even more accessible. We look forward to welcoming passengers onboard and providing them with our signature warm service throughout the summer season and beyond."    Paul Winfield, Director of Aviation for LJLA commented: "The introduction of SunExpress flights to Antalya is fantastic news for travellers across the North West, bringing even more choice for those looking to visit one of Türkiye’s most popular holiday destinations, with the added benefit of now being able to choose to fly from Liverpool.     “Combining SunExpress’ excellent reputation and competitive fares with our renowned Faster, Easier, Friendlier passenger experience, means that we anticipate strong demand for this new service. Antalya’s stunning beaches, luxury resorts, and vibrant culture make it a top destination for both leisure and family travel. We look forward to working closely with SunExpress to ensure the success of this service and continue expanding travel options for our passengers."    SunExpress offers a range of fares to support the diverse needs of passengers, with a blend of different options including baggage allowances, seat reservations, check-in options and booking flexibility. The fares are offered in a bundle format so they can be tailored to customers’ differing needs, providing increased choice and the potential for greater savings.     In addition to ‘summer sun and beach’ travel, SunExpress caters for a number of other types of travel including cultural, archaeological, and culinary tourism, and sports travel.    SunExpress is a value carrier with a strong presence on the Turkish Riviera and in Anatolia. The airline operates in a total of 237 routes to 92 destinations across 35 countries. SunExpress is the leading carrier between Germany-Austria-Switzerland and the Turkish Riviera and Anatolia. 

  SunExpress, a joint venture of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, today launches a new route from Glasgow to Antalya for summer 2025, with a further new service to Dalaman starting tomorrow (5th April).   SunExpress is offering Scottish passengers a choice of six weekly flights from Glasgow to Türkiye – four to Antalya and two to Dalaman – all operated by Boeing 737 aircraft.   Return prices for these new routes start from £199.99 per person to Dalaman and Antalya.   Tobias Bracht, Head of Sales, SunExpress, said: “We are excited to be doubling down on Glasgow with the launch of two new routes in two days. These new services to Antalya and Dalaman represent a significant expansion of our Scotland operation and reflect our commitment to delivering convenient and high-quality travel experiences for Scottish passengers.   “With the introduction of our new services, Scottish passengers will have a wider choice of travel options to Türkiye than ever, enabling them to explore even more of its turquoise coasts, captivating history and culture, rich local cuisine, various sports and outdoor opportunities.”   Mark Beveridge, Managing Director, Glasgow Airport, said: “We are delighted to welcome SunExpress to Glasgow Airport as our newest airline partner, bringing two exciting new routes to Türkiye for this Summer. With four weekly flights to Antalya and two to Dalaman, passengers will have even more choice and flexibility when planning their holidays to one of Europe’s most popular destinations.   “Antalya and Dalaman are longstanding favourites for holidaymakers, offering stunning beaches, rich cultural experiences, and world-class leisure activities, including golf. SunExpress’ decision to introduce six weekly flights from Glasgow highlights the strong demand for direct, convenient travel options to Türkiye. We look forward to working closely with SunExpress to ensure these routes’ success and to continuing to expand our destination offering for our passengers.”   SunExpress offers a range of fares to support the diverse needs of passengers, with a blend of different options including baggage allowances, seat reservations, check-in options and booking flexibility. The fares are offered in a bundle format so they can be tailored to customers’ differing needs, providing increased choice and the potential for greater savings.   In addition to ‘summer sun and beach’ travel, SunExpress caters for a number of other types of travel including cultural, archaeological, and culinary tourism, and sports travel.   SunExpress is a value carrier with a strong presence on the Turkish Riviera and in Anatolia. The airline operates in a total of 237 routes to 92 destinations across 35 countries. SunExpress is the leading carrier between Germany-Austria-Switzerland and the Turkish Riviera and Anatolia.

 

- Around 300 guests attend industry congress in Antalya -

  SunExpress, a joint venture of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, hosted around 300 industry partners for its “35 Years to the Sun & Beyond” event in Belek, Türkiye.   Attendees included international travel agency and tour operator partners with several from the UK, airport representatives, ground handling partners and media representatives. During presentations, panel discussions and networking events, participants had the opportunity to gain insights into Türkiye as a year-round destination and discuss the future development of this top destination.   Tour operators including Shaun Morton (CEO of On the Beach), Deniz Uğur (CEO of Bentour Reisen) and Gerald Kassner (CEO of Schauinsland-Reisen) discussed Türkiye as a booming travel destination. Despite its high popularity and many returning guests, they see potential for further growth, particularly through an extended summer season and stronger positioning beyond beach vacations.   Türkiye is increasingly focusing on diversifying its tourism offerings aiming to achieve sustainable growth for the destination and promoting cultural and gastronomic experiences in particular, reported Erkan Yağci (President of the Türkiye Hoteliers Federation (TÜROFED)), Kaan Kavaloğlu (Präsident of the Mediterranian Touristic Hoteliers and Investors Association) and Sinan Seha Türkseven (Acting General Manager of the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA)).   Prof. Dr. Sedef Çokay Kepçe (Head of Excavation Antalya Perge Archaeological Site) and pro-extreme athlete Savaş Çoban discussed the importance of historical sites, such as the ancient city of Perge near Antalya and Ephesus near Izmir.   Opportunities for sports enthusiasts were also discussed. This included golf tourism, which is a rapidly growing market, particularly in the Belek region with its 16 attractive golf courses. Young golfers in particular are important drivers of the market, the participating golf resort operators and managers of golf travel agencies concluded.   Gudrun Teloeken (General Manager Fraport TAV Antalya Airport) and Lars Redeligx (CEO Düsseldorf Airport) see the expansion of the airport infrastructure as an important step towards working together with all partners - such as ground handling and airlines - in the interests of holistic customer satisfaction.

SunExpress has unveiled the SunExpress Golf Club - a unique loyalty programme designed exclusively for golf travellers. SunExpress is the joint venture business between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. Members of the SunExpress Golf Club programme will benefit from travel perks such as the SunPriority Package (priority at check-in, boarding and baggage reclaim), free lounge access with fast track at the Antalya Airport, as well as free golf baggage check-in. At participating golf clubs, members will receive discounts, including free rounds of golf. Also applicable are hotel upgrades (subject to availability), free transfers and discounts on other green fees. Travel agency partners can book the membership of the SunExpress Golf Club programme for their customers at a discounted price, while customers can secure virtual membership for 419 GBP  per year through direct sales via the SunExpress website. Half-year offers (January-June and July-December) are available for 249 GBP. Michael Schober, Senior Manager B2B Relations at SunExpress said: “We are excited to introduce the SunExpress Golf Club programme to better cater to the needs of our customers.” “The Golf Club connects people from all SunExpress destinations, an initiative further reinforced by hosting exclusive golf tournaments.” The region around Belek, Antalya offers first-class golf courses and luxury resorts  - making it a top choice for golfers of all levels. The participating partners include: Bilyana Golf Holidays, Cullinan Belek Hotel, Gloria Hotels & Resorts & Gloria Golf Club (including 1 x free green fee) Antalya Golf Club, Voyage Belek Golf & Spa Hotel & Maxx Royal Montgomerie Golf Club, Regnum Carya Hotel (free entrance for Land of Legends Theme Park) and Sueno Hotels SunExpress offers direct flights to Antalya/Belek year-round from major hubs in the UK and Ireland. This winter season it flies from and to London Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Bristol and Dublin.

  SunExpress, a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, has launched the SunExpress Golf Club - a unique loyalty programme designed exclusively for golf travellers.   Members of the SunExpress Golf Club programme will benefit from attractive travel advantages such as the SunPriority Package (priority at check-in, boarding and baggage reclaim), free lounge access with fast track at the Antalya Airport, as well as free golf baggage check-in. At participating golf clubs, members will receive various discounts, including free rounds of golf. Also included are hotel upgrades (subject to availability), free transfers and discounts on other green fees.   Travel agency partners can book the membership of the SunExpress Golf Club programme for their customers at a discounted price, while customers can secure virtual membership for 419 GBP  per year through direct sales via the SunExpress website (www.sunexpressgolfclub.com). Half-year offers (January-June and July-December) are available for 249 GBP.   Michael Schober, Senior Manager B2B Relations at SunExpress said: “We are excited to introduce the SunExpress Golf Club programme to better cater to the needs of our customers. With the largest flight offering to Antalya, especially during the winter season, we aim to make travel more convenient and accessible. The Golf Club connects people from all SunExpress destinations, an initiative further reinforced by hosting exclusive golf tournaments.   “The memberships serve as an excellent sales tool for our travel agency and tour operator partners, helping them make their offerings even more attractive. Additional benefits for our members include a discounted rate at our member`s tournaments as well as further discounts on hotel services will be added.”   With the SunExpress Golf Club loyalty programme, travel agencies can offer their customers first-class trips to Antalya, one of the best golf regions in Europe. Sunny and warm autumn and spring weather, as well as mild temperatures in the winter months create ideal conditions all year round. The region around Belek, Antalya stands for first-class golf courses, luxurious resorts and excellent service - making it a top choice for golfers of all levels. The participating partners include:  

• Bilyana Golf Holidays
• Cullinan Belek Hotel
• Gloria Hotels & Resorts & Gloria Golf Club (among other things: 1 x free green fee)
• Antalya Golf Club
• Voyage Belek Golf & Spa Hotel & Maxx Royal Montgomerie Golf Club
• Regnum Carya Hotel (free entrance for Land of Legends Theme Park)
• Sueno Hotels

  SunExpress offers extensive direct connections to Antalya/Belek year-round from major hubs in the UK and Ireland. This winter season it includes flights from and to Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Bristol and Dublin.

  SunExpress, a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, will once again host a golf tournament for travel professionals in Türkiye early next year.   Between 15th and 18th January, 2025, participants will meet at the Rixos Premium Belek on the Turkish Riviera, where they will have the opportunity to work on their handicap on some of the best golf courses in the region, against a scenic backdrop and in competition with their industry peers.   The SunExpress tournament offers tourism professionals from all over the world the opportunity to experience Türkiye up close as an attractive golf travel destination. They will learn about SunExpress’ 2025 flight programme and experience the ‘Best Leisure Airline’, according to Skytrax, first-hand, and its golf travel offers.   After a training round on the “Montgomery Maxx Royal Golf Course”, participants will partake in a tournament on the renowned “Gloria Golf Course (Old Course)”. The event will conclude with a festive gala dinner where the tournament winner will be announced.   James Harrison, Country Manager Sales UK & Ireland for SunExpress, said: “We are delighted that our successful Golf Cup is entering its fourth year. We’re particularly proud to be introducing our partners to Türkiye as an attractive year-round destination for golf travel, besides the classic summer beach vacation.”   The Cup will also showcase Türkiye as an all-year destination. The Antalya/Belek region is one of the country’s most attractive golfing destinations, and not just in summer. With warm and sunny weather in the autumn and spring, as well as mild winter months, the region offers golf lovers consistently good conditions for their game.   Thanks to first-class golf courses and luxurious resorts combined with excellent service, Belek is a top choice for golfers of all levels and length of stays. With numerous direct connections from the UK and Ireland combined with convenient baggage allowances, SunExpress is the ideal flight partner for golf trips to Türkiye.   Interested parties can register for the SunExpress Golf Cup by 6th November 2024 directly here: https://www.sunexpress.com/en-gb/sunexpress-golfcup/   The all-inclusive participation fee is £199. If there are more registrations than spots available, the decision will be made by lot.

SunExpress, the joint venture of Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, will strengthen its partnership with South African Airways (SAA). It plans to expand operations in the upcoming European winter season. Building on the successful first year of the partnership, SunExpress will now double its leased fleet to SAA, providing four Boeing 737-800 aircraft with cockpit as well as maintenance crew for a six-month period. The first aircraft will start operations at the beginning of November. The second season of damp lease operations will feature a fresh cabin configuration with 16 premium seats and 159 economy seats. This expanded capacity will enable SunExpress to support SAA with 134 weekly flights across three routes. Entering its second year, the agreement was further enhanced with the start of a specialised training programme for SAA cabin crew members at SunExpress' headquarters in Antalya and at South African Airways Headquarters in Johannesburg. Max Kownatzki, CEO of SunExpress, said: "Doubling our leased fleet to SAA marks a significant step in managing seasonality as we continue to grow our fleet.” "The dedicated training we provide to SAA also underscores willingness to leverage more opportunities together." SunExpress has a strong presence on the Turkish Riviera and in Anatolia. In 2024, it is operating a total of 200 routes to 68 destinations across 35 countries.   

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SunExpress has named James Harrison as Country Sales Manager, UK & Ireland Harrison brings3 0 years of aviation industry experience in this role for SunExpress, the joint venture of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. He held sales and management roles with airlines including British Airways, Gulf Air and most recently, Etihad Airways. At Etihad he was General Manager UK & Ireland from 2015 to 2021. He takes up the new role alongside SunExpress' GSA Aviareps in both the UK and Ireland. He was previously Aviareps' Head of Aviation. Tobias Bracht, Head of Sales for SunExpress, said: "The UK and Ireland is a strategically important and fast-growing market for SunExpress.” “James will play a vital role in supporting growth and developing our travel industry relationships." SunExpress operates 136 flights per week to Türkiye from nine UK airports this summer. In 2025, it will launch services from Glasgow and Liverpool. In Ireland, SunExpress offers three weekly services to Antalya and seven weekly flights to Izmir from Dublin. "I'm thrilled to be bringing my experience to drive their growth in the UK and Ireland," Harrison said. 

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SunExpress, the joint venture of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, will introduce two Türkiye flight routes from Glasgow next summer. The airline will offer six flights a week from Glasgow next summer – four weekly Antalya flights and twice weekly to Dalaman The Dalaman and Antalya flights start in early April 2025. Bookings for both routes are now open. Tobias Bracht, Head of Sales for SunExpress, said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of our exciting new routes from Glasgow direct to Antalya and Dalaman - two of Türkiye’s most popular destinations.” SunExpress offers varied ticket fare options with a basic SunEco fare including at least 20kgs of checked baggage on international flights. For an extra cost, passengers can upgrade to SunClassic and SunPremium fares with added benefits such as increased baggage allowance, pre-flight seat selection, meals and no flight change fees. 

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