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SunExpress is a Turkish-German airline headquartered in Antalya, Türkiye, operating as a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa. Established in 1989, it has grown into a prominent low-cost carrier, specializing in leisure travel and connecting Europe with Türkiye’s idyllic holiday destinations and Anatolian cities. With a fleet of over 70 aircraft and a network spanning 90 destinations in 30 countries, SunExpress serves more than 10 million passengers annually, emphasizing affordability, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Despite its success, the airline has faced challenges with customer service, baggage handling, and operational disruptions, but it continues to innovate with a modern fleet, sustainable practices, and an expanding route network.
SunExpress was founded in October 1989 as a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, with a mission to capitalize on the touristic potential of Antalya, Türkiye’s “touristic capital.” The airline launched its first flight on April 2, 1990, from Frankfurt to Antalya, using a single Boeing 737-300. By 1993, it welcomed its 1 millionth passenger, and in 1995, it expanded its fleet with a leased Airbus A320. In 2001, SunExpress became the first private Turkish airline to operate international scheduled flights, starting with Antalya to Frankfurt, a milestone that solidified its role in Türkiye’s aviation market.
The airline opened its second base in Izmir in 2006, introducing direct domestic flights to Anatolian cities, reducing reliance on Istanbul’s congested airports. In 2010, SunExpress unveiled a new corporate identity, including a modern logo, livery, and uniforms, and took delivery of six Boeing 737-800s. That year, it carried over 4 million passengers. In 2011, SunExpress established a German subsidiary, SunExpress Deutschland, to serve Mediterranean, Black Sea, North African, and Red Sea destinations, though this subsidiary ceased operations in June 2020, with its routes absorbed by SunExpress and Eurowings.
In 2012, SunExpress moved into its eco-friendly headquarters, SunExpress Plaza, in Antalya, featuring “smart” glass panels and citrus trees to reduce cooling costs. By 2015, the airline employed over 3,000 staff from 25 nations and operated 51,000 annual flights. In 2023, SunExpress celebrated its 100th anniversary flight to Ercan Airport in Northern Cyprus and signed a landmark deal with Boeing for 90 aircraft, including 28 Boeing 737-8, 17 Boeing 737-10, and up to 45 737 MAX models, to support future growth. In 2024, SunExpress partnered with Bulgaria’s Electra Airways to serve the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, operating flights from seven German airports to Varna and Burgas.
SunExpress operates a fleet of 71 aircraft, primarily Boeing 737-800s (60 aircraft), with three Airbus A330-200s, five Boeing 737-700s, and three Boeing 737-900ERs, all configured with a single Economy Class cabin. The airline’s fleet modernization includes fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, reducing CO2 emissions and noise pollution. Inflight entertainment, introduced in 2000, offers movies and eight audio channels, including a kids’ program, on flights over three hours. The SunExpress Plaza headquarters incorporates sustainable features like energy-efficient glass and natural landscaping, aligning with the airline’s environmental commitment.
SunExpress’s focus on sustainability extends to operational efficiencies, such as fuel-saving winglets on its Boeing 737-800s. The airline’s partnership with Eskişehir Technical University to train aircraft maintenance technicians ensures high safety and technical standards, supporting its eco-friendly fleet maintenance. In 2024, SunExpress won three awards at the International Safety Awards Ceremony, recognizing its safety and sustainability efforts.