SunExpress to Launch 10 New Routes for Summer 2026: Full List of Destinations and Flight Details
SunExpress is adding 10 new international routes from Antalya, Izmir, Bodrum, Edremit and Hatay for the 2026 summer season. Here are all the details.
SunExpress Expands Capacity for the 2026 Summer Season
SunExpress, a joint venture of Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, has announced a major expansion for the 2026 summer season. Responding to rising travel demand in the European market, the airline will add 10 new international routes departing from Antalya, Izmir, Milas-Bodrum, Edremit, and Hatay. With this expansion, SunExpress aims to offer more travel options for both tourists and expatriates.
Considering the tourism sector’s high expectations for summer 2026, this initiative is expected to significantly contribute to Türkiye’s tourism revenues. With the addition of these new routes, the already-strong summer travel traffic from Europe—especially from Germany—will grow even further.
Memmingen Flights Begin in March
One of the most notable new routes is the Antalya–Memmingen connection. Memmingen Airport in southern Germany has become increasingly popular among Turkish travelers in recent years. SunExpress will operate this route five times per week starting in March.
Additionally, between May 11–June 24 and August 2–September 19, 2026, flights on this route will operate daily. Adding daily frequencies during the peak holiday months will help accommodate both tourism demand and family visit traffic.
New Connections from Germany to Edremit and Izmir
Edremit Koca Seyit Airport is heavily used by expatriates during the summer months. To meet this demand, SunExpress will offer flights from Hannover and Munich to Edremit once per week throughout the 2026 summer season.
SunExpress is also introducing a new Izmir–Porto route. From June 24, 2026, flights will take place once weekly, providing a valuable new link between Türkiye’s Aegean region and Portugal.
These new additions strengthen SunExpress’s expanding network from Izmir, further supporting tourism and local travel demand in the region.
New European Routes from Antalya
The majority of the new routes will depart from Antalya, Türkiye’s tourism capital. One highlight is a new connection to Çorlu in the Czech Republic, which will be included in the 2026 summer schedule. The inaugural flight is set for May 16, 2026, with twice-weekly operations on Fridays and Saturdays.
Another notable addition is the Antalya–East Midlands route, beginning in March 2026. This connection to central England will operate three times per week.
These new links will make it easier for both Czech and British travelers to reach Antalya while also offering Turkish passengers more direct, affordable travel options to Europe.
New Flights from Hatay and Bodrum
For Hatay Airport, which continues to undergo redevelopment after the earthquake, SunExpress plans to introduce a new European route: Sofia. The flights, set to begin in April 2026, will run at a frequency that will be finalized once infrastructure improvements are completed. Weekly scheduled operations are expected during the summer period.
Milas–Bodrum Airport will also see two new additions targeting the UK market:
- London Gatwick
- Manchester
Both routes will begin on May 4, 2026. With the strong interest of British travelers in the Bodrum Peninsula, these connections are expected to bring substantial tourism growth to the region.
SunExpress Prepares for Record Capacity in 2026
SunExpress recently announced that it aims to offer over 10 million seats for the 2026 summer season. Combined with the new routes, the airline’s presence in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the UK, and the Benelux region will grow stronger than ever.
With the operational advantages provided by the Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa partnership, SunExpress is positioning itself to further solidify its status as one of Türkiye’s leading carriers in both the tourism and expatriate markets.
Conclusion: More Routes and More Travel Options for Summer 2026
The 10 new routes announced by SunExpress will not only boost tourist arrivals to Türkiye but also make summer travel more convenient for Turkish citizens living abroad. With new departures from Antalya, Izmir, Bodrum, Edremit, and Hatay, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the busiest and most competitive yet.
If you create content on aviation, travel, or tourism, this development is one of the key trends to watch for the 2026 summer season.
