Turkish Airlines eyes of New Zealand and South America

TURKISH AIRLINES BOEING 777-3F2 TC-JJH (MSN 40792) 

Turkish Airlines could soon add Auckland with non-stop flights as the flag-carrier builds out a network of ultra-long-range routes with its globe-striding Airbus A350-1000 jets.

The airline has already committed to launching non-stop flights to Australia from late 2025, with Sydney first up for the 17-hour marathons and Melbourne to follow.

New Zealand could be next in line, although it’s more likely a 2026 proposition says Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Eksi.

"We are evaluating our options," Eksi explained during the inaugural flight from Istanbul to Sydney, which currently includes a stopover in Kuala Lumpur. This stopover is expected to be eliminated by 2026, reducing the journey time by approximately three hours from the present 20-hour duration.

"However, our primary focus for 2025 is to enhance the frequency of flights within our already extensive network," added Eksi.

Non-stop flights to South America are also under consideration. Earlier this year, airline chairman Professor Ahmet Bolat informed the media that the A350-1000 jets are capable of flying directly to Santiago and Buenos Aires.

Turkish Airlines is set to initiate flights to Santiago via Sao Paolo on the 18th of December. 

Eksi noted, "Once we acquire the A350-1000, we will be able to operate nonstop flights from Istanbul."

The airline is scheduled to receive the first of fifteen A350-1000 aircraft in 2025.