The new destinations are: Antalya, Bodrum, Ankara and Gaziantep. SunExpress continues to offer twice weekly flights to Izmir, as it has done for the past three years. The flights to Ankara and Gaziantep are the only direct flights to operate to these destinations from the UK.
The event was attended by Taner Beyoglu, new Director of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office for the UK and Ireland. He said: “I was very happy to be here to share this occasion with SunExpress and London Luton Airport. It is wonderful to see so many new Turkish destinations being launched by SunExpress, which will offer more choice to British tourists visiting Turkey and also a better holiday experience with easier access to many fascinating resorts. On a personal level, I am very pleased that it will now be easier for me to return to see my friends and family in Ankara, where I live when I am in Turkey.”
Taner Beyoglu, Director Turkish Culture and Tourism Office; Simon Harley, Head of Business Development, London Luton Airport; SunExpress Captains; Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, London Luton Airport; Wilken Bellmann, Head of Network Planning and Scheduling, SunExpress
Wilken Bellmann, Head of Network Planning and Scheduling for SunExpress said: “I was delighted to be at London Luton Airport today to see the first passengers off to Antalya. We are extremely happy to have been able to launch so many new routes from the UK in 2018, and very pleased that Turkey is back on the map for British tourists. Our flights to Ankara and Gaziantep will undoubtedly make it much easier for the local Turkish community to visit family and friends.”
He added: “It was also a great opportunity for me to see the transformation which has taken place at LLA. I am sure that our passengers will be very pleasantly surprised when they see the changes.”
Wilken Bellmann, Head of Network Planning and Scheduling, SunExpress; Simon Harley, Head of Business Development, London Luton Airport; Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, London Luton Airport; Taner Beyoglu, Director Turkish Culture and Tourism Office
London Luton Airport is nearing the completion of its £160 million transformation, which will increase capacity to 18 million passengers by 2020. The passenger experience has been improved by an expanded and upgraded terminal, providing more seating and new boarding gates, as well as a greater variety of shops and restaurants. A total of 30 new stores are due to open in the terminal by the end of the year. It is now easier to reach LLA than ever, as the redevelopment includes major upgrades to transport links, including better road access to the M1, new car parking facilities, a remodelled bus and coach interchange and improved rail links to Luton Airport Parkway station. Luton Borough Council has also started work on The Luton DART, a new £225 million light rail system which will link the airport with the station by 2021.
Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer for LLA said: “We have worked closely with SunExpress since they joined us as a partner three years ago and it is fitting they have chosen the year of our 80th anniversary to increase the number of destinations offered from LLA. Our collaboration with SunExpress comes as we near the end of our £160m redevelopment programme, and we are looking forward to continuing our work with them during this exciting time for LLA.