SunExpress, a joint venture budget airline between fellow Star Alliance members Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, is to launch a new twice-weekly non-stop service on Thursday 8 February 2007 between Stansted and Antalya on the Turkish Riviera.
In addition to the new Antalya service, SunExpress is to introduce a second route between the UK and Turkey in March. The second non-stop scheduled service will be between Stansted and Izmir, Turkey”s third largest city and second largest port, with a connecting service to Ercan in Northern Cyprus.
The news reflect the growing popularity and demand for Turkey as a destination in the UK, especially Antalya, the Turkish Riviera, Izmir and the resorts around the Aegean Sea, all of which have a special appeal to the increasing number of independent travellers and those with second homes in the area.
Antalya is also the gateway for Belek, Turkey”s premier golf region. Belek, located on the Mediterranean coast 30 kms east of Antalya, currently boasts five golf clubs with a further 11 courses and 44 hotels in various stages of construction with a number programmed to open during 2007. Signature course designers include Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and David Feherty.
Although considered a ”low cost scheduled carrier”, the airline”s product includes:
free beverages and non-alcoholic drinks; complimentary meal plus special dietary options; seat selection at check-in; newspapers; in-flight movie and audio entertainment; 20 kgs free baggage allowance; and golf and dive equipment carried free of charge up to 30 kgs.