Turkish Airlines, located in Istanbul, claims it is currently in talks with Rex to become its Australian partner, after receiving approval for daily flights to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
By adding local Rex flights to their TK ticket, this could enable inbound travelers on Turkish Airlines to book a single itinerary. If used in its entirety, it could also bring the Star Alliance member’s Miles&Smiles rewards program into line with the recently introduced Rex Flyer scheme in terms of point accumulation and status benefits.
Turkish carriers Chairman Ahmet Bolat told Aviation Week, “We already have commercial cooperation with Australian airlines that allow our passengers to reach Australia.”
“Our team is in the process of negotiating with another partner in Australia. Rex is a well-known airline that is, in our opinion, making significant headway in the domestic Australian market.”
Bolat continued, “We were drawn to Rex’s operations in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth due to their consistent growth.”
(And no, “Perth” isn’t currently shown on Rex’s intercity 737 map; nonetheless, Bolat might be alluding to the airline’s long-standing goal to grow its nationwide jet network.)
Aviation Week also said that “a source close to Rex confirmed talks with Turkish Airlines had taken place.” However, when contacted by Executive Traveller, a Rex representative declined to comment.
Turkish Airlines is now preparing to begin service from Istanbul to Australia via Singapore in the early months of 2024, as was previously stated.
Although it was first thought that Sydney or Melbourne would have to accept the red-tailed jets, the addition of 21 weekly flights between Turkey and Australia may allow both cities to welcome them.
