SunExpress, the joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, marked its 35th anniversary with a bold vision for expansion and fleet growth. During a presentation in Antalya, Turkey, CEO Max Kownatzki highlighted the airline’s 2024 performance, new market strategies, and operational challenges amid rising costs and delayed aircraft deliveries.
Expanding Fleet to Drive Future Growth
Having carried over 15 million passengers in 2024, SunExpress is gearing up for further expansion.
The airline plans to double its fleet by 2035, increasing from 85 aircraft in 2025 to 166. To support this goal, it has placed orders for 132 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, including 42 firm orders and 90 options.
Kownatzki emphasized the airline’s high expectations for the Boeing 737 MAX 10, which will offer 230 seats and expand SunExpress’ reach to destinations as far west as Iceland and as far east as India. However, he also expressed frustration over Boeing’s delivery delays, which pose challenges for seasonal flight planning.
New Routes and Market Expansion
SunExpress continues to diversify beyond its core markets. Initially focused on German-speaking travelers, the airline has expanded into the UK and Irish markets, now serving 11 destinations.
Additionally, the airline has added 10 new routes in 2024 and plans to introduce at least six more in 2025.
New destinations include:
- Anatolian cities (Kayseri, Erzurum, Bursa) linked to European hubs
- Amman, Jordan (AMM) – A new service launching from Antalya in June 2025
SunExpress remains the largest airline at Antalya Airport (AYT), Turkey’s busiest hub outside Istanbul, but faces growing competition from carriers like Pegasus Airlines.
Overcoming Seasonality & Revenue Diversification
With a seasonal demand pattern, SunExpress is exploring new revenue streams:
Winter Market Development – The airline is marketing off-season tourism products, including golf and winter sports in Turkey. In November 2024, it achieved an impressive 90% load factor. Aircraft Leasing & Partnerships – SunExpress leases aircraft to AJet (Turkish Airlines subsidiary) for domestic operations and has expanded its wet lease program to South African Airways after a successful 2023/24 season. Tourism Collaboration – Partnerships with tour operators enhance demand beyond summer, supporting year-round travel.
Addressing Rising Costs & Industry Challenges
The airline faces double-digit cost increases, driven by:
Inflation and wage growth in Turkey Higher regulatory fees and airport charges Competitive pricing constraints, preventing fares from rising significantly
SunExpress is investing in in-house training to secure a stable workforce. Its pilot training program, run in collaboration with Turkish educational institutions, has already produced 160 pilots, ensuring full staffing for 2025 operations.
Strategic Partnerships & Distribution Expansion
Beyond airline operations, SunExpress is leveraging its distribution network to sell flights for other carriers. The airline successfully markets flights for Air Cairo (Egypt) and Electra Air (Bulgaria), with plans to expand this model to new markets.
As SunExpress navigates its next phase of growth, CEO Max Kownatzki remains focused on delivering value through network expansion, fleet modernization, and strategic collaborations, ensuring the airline remains a key player in European and Middle Eastern aviation.
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