SunExpress grows UK and Ireland passenger traffic to Turkey by 22%

SunExpress, the Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines joint venture leisure carrier, has reported a 22% increase in passenger traffic from the UK and Ireland to Turkey this year. 

The airline flew over 1.5 million passengers on routes from 13 departure points to six Turkish airports.

The network expansion includes new flights from Glasgow, Liverpool, and Cork, with East Midlands airport set to launch services to Antalya in 2026. SunExpress plans to operate the largest number of flights from the UK to Antalya and Izmir next year, reflecting rising demand from leisure travellers.

Across its entire network, SunExpress has carried more than 13 million passengers since the start of 2025, up 8% from the same period last year. The airline maintained a load factor of 85%, demonstrating high utilisation across its fleet of 85 Boeing 737 aircraft.

During the 2025 summer season, SunExpress added 15 new international routes, enhancing connectivity and supporting its rapid growth strategy. Since 2022, the carrier has quadrupled seat capacity on UK and Ireland routes, positioning itself as a leading provider of air links to Turkey.

Chief executive Max Kownatzki noted the UK and Ireland markets have become among the airline’s fastest-growing segments. Early bookings indicate continued upward trends, supported by Turkey’s appeal for European leisure travellers, including cultural sites, natural attractions, and value-for-money travel.

The airline’s strategy focuses on leveraging market demand, expanding capacity, and enhancing route coverage, ensuring growth in passenger volumes while maintaining operational efficiency across its fleet.

SunExpress continues to strengthen its presence in Europe’s leisure aviation market, using increased seat capacity and network expansion to capture demand between the UK, Ireland, and Turkey.

Explore the full article for insights on SunExpress’s growth strategy and market performance.