European low-fare carrier SunExpress has reported revenue of EUR 2.2 billion for 2024, representing a 23% year-on-year increase, amid plans to grow its UK and Ireland operations.
Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, the airline said that it carried nearly 15 million passengers in 2024, almost doubling its seat capacity compared to the pre-pandemic period.
SunExpress, a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, is continuing its expansion with 15 new international routes for Summer 2025, a growing fleet of 85 aircraft serving 237 routes across 35 countries and a target of 16.8 million passengers.
The carrier is also making significant investments in its UK and Ireland operations as it continues to grow its footprint in the market, which is its second core source market behind the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland).
This year, the airline will offer around two million seats in the UK and Ireland market – a 25% increase over 2024 – and open new routes across April and May from Glasgow, Liverpool and Cork, taking the airline’s UK and Ireland footprint to 13 departure airports.
Highlighting accelerated growth in the region, CEO Max 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.”
Photos: Rob Munro
Max Kownatzki at the SunExpress 35th Anniversary event in Antalya, Turkiye, earlier this year.
