The carrier is set to begin flights in March 2024 after being given granted more frequencies by Australia’s government. It had been given permission for an initial 21 flights a week to Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and the new Western Sydney airport, which opens in 2026.

The airline is now able to increase frequency to 28 flights a week from the start of the northern winter 2024 timetable and 35 a week from winter 2025. The right to codeshare with another carrier and to cooperate on marketing has also been granted.

Initial services will operate from Istanbul via Singapore with connections from Turkish Airlines’ UK departure points. However, Turkish Airlines this week announced a huge order for 355 Airbus aircraft, including 15 A350-1000s, which can operate from Istanbul to Australia non-stop.

The airline’s chairman Ahmet Bolat told Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News: “We will commence flights to Australia between March 15 and 25, 2024. The Australia flight will involve a layover, a 10-hour stopover in Singapore, and then a further seven-hour journey to Australia.”

He added talks were underway to find a new ‘face’ for the Star Alliance carrier: “We are currently in discussions with Australian actress Margot Robbie. We plan to bring her to Turkey a week before the flight.”