Turkish Airlines Eyes Auckland, Minneapolis
Turkish Airlines is charting its next wave of global expansion by eyeing two new destinations: Auckland in New Zealand and Minneapolis in the United States. The move is part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity from its Istanbul hub at iGA Istanbul Airport (IST) and to strengthen its growing presence on the international stage.
At the recent Turkish Airlines Management Summit 2025 in Antalya, Chairman Ahmet Bolat revealed plans to launch regular passenger flights to Minneapolis starting in either April or May 2025. In a subsequent phase, the airline intends to introduce service to Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island. This strategic expansion follows the airline’s aggressive campaign in 2024, which successfully launched flights connecting Melbourne and Sydney in Australia with Istanbul via Singapore. Adding New Zealand to its portfolio represents a logical progression for Turkish Airlines as it continues to extend its influence in the South Pacific region.
According to reports from Turkish media outlet Turizm Ekonomi, the planned expansion is supported by existing bilateral agreements. Under a 2010 bilateral air services agreement, New Zealand-based carriers are permitted to serve any point in Turkey via intermediate stops. Turkish Airlines now enjoys reciprocal rights, positioning the carrier to capture market share in a region where Air New Zealand currently does not operate flights to any Turkish airport. It is expected that all new flights from Istanbul to Auckland will initially operate with a stopover in Singapore until non-stop ultra-long-range options become available.
Currently, Turkish Airlines employs a diverse fleet on its antipodean routes, including the Airbus A350-900, Boeing 777-300ER, and 787-9 aircraft. However, the airline is anticipated to switch its equipment to the new Airbus A350-1000s later in 2025. The advanced A350-1000, with its increased range and improved fuel efficiency, would be well-suited for non-stop services between Istanbul and Auckland—a route that covers an impressive great circle distance of approximately 10,606 miles (16,970 km).
In parallel, the addition of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) will make the northeastern U.S. city the latest destination in the United States for Turkish Airlines. With a current network encompassing 15 U.S. cities including major hubs such as Atlanta, Boston, Washington DC, and New York (JFK and Newark), the inclusion of Minneapolis will further cement Turkish Airlines’ position as the largest carrier operating directly between the U.S. and Turkey.
This bold expansion strategy comes at a time of strong growth for the carrier. In 2024, Turkish Airlines carried a record 83.4 million passengers, marking a 2.1% year-on-year increase. International travel has been a key growth driver, with 31.7 million international passengers recorded—a 6.4% increase over 2023. The airline credits its robust expansion push in 2024 for these gains and intends to continue that momentum throughout 2025.
Founded in 1933, Turkish Airlines now serves 350 destinations across 130 countries, a feat recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records. With a fleet of 450 aircraft and 347 more on order, the airline continues to build on its reputation for excellence and innovation in global aviation. Additionally, its dedicated freighter fleet of 25 aircraft operated by Turkish Cargo further enhances its comprehensive service offering.
As Turkish Airlines prepares to open new routes to Auckland and Minneapolis, the carrier’s expansion reinforces its vision for global connectivity and positions it to better serve a diverse and growing international market. Travelers around the world will soon have more opportunities to experience Turkish hospitality and world-class service, making these new routes a significant milestone in the carrier’s continued global growth.
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