Aviation and tourism professionals from across Europe and Turkey gathered in Antalya for a special conference celebrating the 35th anniversary of SunExpress, the joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa. Under the theme “35 Years of Sun and Beyond,” the event brought together key stakeholders, business leaders, government representatives, and industry experts to reflect on SunExpress’ growth journey and explore the future of travel, connectivity, and tourism in Turkey.

Founded in 1989 to enhance tourism between Germany and Turkey, SunExpress has grown from a modest charter operation to a leading leisure carrier serving more than 150 million passengers across three continents. The conference, held at the airline’s operational heart in Antalya, underscored the crucial role of aviation in driving tourism, regional development, and international cultural exchange.

An Industry Milestone: Celebrating the Past, Shaping the Future

Hosted by SunExpress CEO Dr. Max Kownatzki and Deputy CEO Tuncay Eminoğlu, the conference explored Turkey’s rising status as a global tourism destination, the impact of ongoing airport infrastructure investments, and the growing demand for travel to the country. In-depth panels also highlighted opportunities in cultural tourism, gastronomy, and sports tourism—positioning Turkey as more than just a sun-and-sea destination.

Opening the event, SunExpress CEO Dr. Max Kownatzki highlighted the airline’s transformation over three and a half decades:

“What started in 1990 with a single aircraft connecting Frankfurt and Antalya has evolved into a world-class airline with over 85 aircraft, connecting more than 200 destinations. Our mission goes far beyond transportation—we bring people together, we connect cultures, and we act as ambassadors for Turkey's tourism on the global stage. Our journey has been powered by the passion of our people, the trust of our passengers, and the commitment of our partners.”

Tuncay Eminoğlu, Deputy CEO of SunExpress, emphasized the airline’s unwavering dedication to operational excellence and customer satisfaction:

“For 35 years, we’ve consistently delivered safety, comfort, and exceptional service. These values have become the DNA of SunExpress. As one of Turkey’s major contributors to service exports, our growing network and expanding fleet continue to play a vital role in strengthening Turkey’s economy, especially through tourism.”

Strategic Discussions: Sustainability, Growth & Opportunity

The conference featured a series of panel discussions and roundtables focusing on:

• Turkey’s rising profile in global tourism

• Investments in airport infrastructure and their impact on regional development

• Emerging opportunities in niche travel markets such as:

• Cultural and heritage tourism

• Gastronomy and culinary experiences

• Golf and sports tourism

• Sustainable travel practices

Speakers from both public and private sectors provided unique insights into the evolving travel landscape, the challenges of sustainable aviation, and how Turkey can leverage its rich natural and cultural resources to diversify its tourism offering.

2025 and Beyond: Ambitious Expansion Plans

SunExpress unveiled its growth strategy for 2025, which includes:

• Growing its fleet to 85 aircraft

• Adding 15 new international routes

• Doubling seat capacity compared to pre-pandemic levels

The airline reported a 27% increase in early summer bookings compared to the previous year, reflecting a strong and growing demand for travel to Turkey.

New destinations for Summer 2025 include:

• From Antalya: Glasgow, Liverpool, Amman, Chișinău

• From İzmir: Cork

• From Dalaman: London Stansted, Glasgow, Newcastle

• From Balıkesir: Stuttgart

• From Bursa: Düsseldorf, Stuttgart

• From Ordu-Giresun: Düsseldorf

• From Erzurum: Düsseldorf

• From Kayseri: Hannover, London Stansted

A Legacy of Milestones

SunExpress’ remarkable trajectory is punctuated by landmark achievements:

• 1989: Founded as a Turkish Airlines–Lufthansa joint venture

• 1990: First flight from Frankfurt to Antalya

• 2001: First private airline in Turkey to operate scheduled international flights

• 2006: Launch of domestic services within Turkey

• 2014: Placed major Boeing order for 50 new aircraft

• 2019: Carried over 10 million passengers in a single year

• 2022: Named World’s Best Leisure Airline by Skytrax

• 2023: Ordered 90 additional Boeing aircraft; named Europe’s Best Leisure Airline

• 2024: Reached 77 aircraft in its fleet; expanded to the largest network in its history; again awarded Europe’s Best Leisure Airline by Skytrax

Connecting People, Cultures, and Destinations

With its dual headquarters in Antalya and Frankfurt, and operational bases in İzmir and Ankara, SunExpress continues to build bridges between Europe and Turkey—not only through air connectivity, but through the shared stories, experiences, and dreams of millions of travelers.

The “35 Years of Sun and Beyond” conference served as both a celebration and a springboard, launching SunExpress into a future marked by innovation, growth, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in leisure aviation