No New Turkish Airlines UK City Launches in 2026, Says Official Sources

Key Takeaways

• SunExpress launches East Midlands–Antalya route summer 2026, flying three times weekly.
• Turkish Airlines adds more flights on existing UK routes, no new UK city launches in 2026.
• SunExpress offers 2.1 million seats for summer 2026, 10% increase from 2025.

Travelers looking for new ways to fly between the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and Turkey 🇹🇷 in 2026 may have heard rumors about Turkish Airlines launching new flights to a UK city. However, as of late June 2025, there is no official announcement from Turkish Airlines about starting service to any new UK city in 2026. Instead, the most important recent news is about SunExpress—a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa—which is expanding its UK network, including a new route from East Midlands Airport to Antalya.

This article explains what’s really happening, why it matters for travelers, airports, and airlines, and what you can expect if you’re planning a trip between the UK and Turkey in 2026. We’ll also look at the background of Turkish Airlines and SunExpress in the UK, the practical steps for booking, and what these changes mean for different groups.

What’s Happening: The Key Facts

Who: SunExpress (partly owned by Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa), Turkish Airlines, East Midlands Airport, UK travelers

What: SunExpress is launching a new route from East Midlands Airport to Antalya in summer 2026, flying three times a week. Turkish Airlines is not starting any new UK city routes in 2026 but is increasing flights on its existing UK routes.

When: The new SunExpress service starts in summer 2026. Turkish Airlines’ increased frequencies are already in place for 2025 and may continue into 2026.

Where: East Midlands Airport (serving the Midlands region of England), Antalya (a popular Turkish holiday destination), and existing Turkish Airlines UK airports (London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh).

Why: There is strong demand for travel between the UK and Turkey, especially for holidays. SunExpress is expanding to meet this demand, while Turkish Airlines is focusing on making its current routes even stronger.

How: SunExpress tickets can be booked on their website or through travel agents. Turkish Airlines flights can be booked as usual for their existing UK–Istanbul routes.

SunExpress Expands: East Midlands–Antalya Route

The biggest change for summer 2026 is the addition of East Midlands Airport to the SunExpress network. This means:

• New direct flights: East Midlands to Antalya, three times a week.
• More options: SunExpress will serve 12 UK airports in total, giving travelers more choices for flying to Turkey.
• Bigger program: SunExpress will offer 196 weekly flights across 30 routes from 14 airports in the UK and Ireland.
• More seats: 2.1 million seats for summer 2026, which is 10% more than in 2025.

Why is this important?
For people living in the Midlands region, this new route means they can fly directly to Antalya without having to travel to London or Manchester. It also means less time spent on the road and more time enjoying their holiday.

How to book:
Tickets for the new East Midlands–Antalya service are available on the SunExpress website or through travel agents.

Turkish Airlines: Focus on Existing Routes

While SunExpress is adding new UK airports, Turkish Airlines is not launching any new UK city routes in 2026. Instead, the airline is making its current routes even better by adding more flights. For example:

• Birmingham to Istanbul: Now 18 flights per week.
• Other cities: More flights from Dublin, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow, and Manchester to Istanbul.

What does this mean for travelers?
If you usually fly Turkish Airlines from one of these cities, you’ll have more flight times to choose from. This can make it easier to find a flight that fits your schedule, especially during busy travel seasons.

How to book:
You can book Turkish Airlines flights on their official website or through authorized travel agents.

No New Turkish Airlines UK City Launch in 2026

Despite some rumors, there is no official announcement from Turkish Airlines about starting flights to a new UK city in 2026. The airline’s press releases and newsroom updates focus on adding more flights to existing routes, not opening new city pairs.

Summary Table: Turkish Airlines & SunExpress UK Expansion (2025–2026)

Why Is SunExpress Expanding in the UK?

SunExpress is a value airline, which means it offers affordable flights, especially for holidaymakers. It is owned by Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, two of the biggest airlines in Europe. SunExpress has been growing quickly in the UK, focusing on both big cities and regional airports.

Reasons for expansion:

• High demand: Many people in the UK want to visit Turkey for holidays, especially places like Antalya.
• Regional airports: By flying from airports like East Midlands, SunExpress makes it easier for people outside London to travel.
• Partnership strategy: Turkish Airlines uses SunExpress to reach more UK regions while focusing its own brand on major cities.

What does this mean for travelers?
You have more choices for direct flights to Turkey, often at lower prices. If you live near East Midlands Airport, you can avoid long trips to bigger airports.

Impact on Travelers, Airports, and Airlines

For Travelers

• More options: New routes like East Midlands–Antalya mean you can fly direct from your local airport.
• Lower prices: More flights usually mean more competition and better deals.
• Easier holidays: Direct flights save time and make travel less stressful.

For East Midlands Airport

• New international route: The airport gains a direct connection to Turkey, which can attract more passengers.
• Economic boost: More flights can mean more jobs and business for the local area.

For Turkish Airlines

• Focus on main cities: Turkish Airlines is making its main UK routes stronger by adding more flights.
• Using partnerships: By letting SunExpress handle regional expansion, Turkish Airlines can keep its focus on big city airports and its main hub in Istanbul.

How to Book and What to Expect

Booking SunExpress Flights

• Where to book: SunExpress.com or through travel agents.
• When to book: Tickets for summer 2026 are already available.
• What you need: Standard travel documents, such as a valid passport and, if required, a visa for Turkey.

Booking Turkish Airlines Flights

• Where to book: Turkish Airlines official website or authorized agents.
• Routes available: London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh to Istanbul.
• What you need: Same as above—passport and visa if required.

Travel tip:
Always check the latest travel and visa requirements before booking. The UK government’s travel advice for Turkey is a good place to start for up-to-date information.

Background: Turkish Airlines and SunExpress in the UK

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines has been flying to the UK for many years. It serves major cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, connecting them to Istanbul, which is a big hub for flights to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

• Main focus: Big cities and frequent flights.
• No new UK cities: As of June 2025, no new UK city launches are planned for 2026.

SunExpress

SunExpress is partly owned by Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa. It focuses on holiday destinations in Turkey and has been growing its UK network, especially at regional airports.

• Focus: Affordable flights to Turkish holiday spots.
• Growth: Adding more UK airports, including East Midlands in 2026.

What Does This Mean for Immigration and Travel?

While these changes are mostly about flights, they also affect people who travel for work, family, or to move between the UK and Turkey.

For immigrants and long-term visitors:

• Easier access: More flights mean it’s easier to visit family or return home.
• Regional options: People living outside London have more choices for direct flights.
• Visa requirements: Travelers still need to follow the usual visa rules. For most UK citizens, a visa is required to enter Turkey for longer stays or certain types of work. You can check the latest visa rules on the official Turkish e-Visa website.

For students and business travelers:

• More flexibility: More flights and airports mean you can plan trips that fit your schedule.
• Better connections: Turkish Airlines’ focus on Istanbul as a hub makes it easier to connect to other countries.

Industry and Expert Perspectives

Aviation experts say the SunExpress expansion is a smart move. There is strong demand for Turkish holiday destinations, and regional airports like East Midlands are often overlooked by big airlines. By adding these routes, SunExpress can reach more people and fill a gap in the market.

Why isn’t Turkish Airlines adding new UK cities?
According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, Turkish Airlines is focusing on making its main routes even stronger. By adding more flights to cities like Birmingham and Manchester, the airline can serve more passengers without the risk of opening new, untested routes. At the same time, its partnership with SunExpress lets it reach smaller airports without spreading itself too thin.

What to Watch for in the Future

SunExpress

• More UK airports: If demand stays high, SunExpress may add even more UK airports in the future.
• More flights: The airline could increase the number of flights on popular routes.

Turkish Airlines

• More flights, bigger planes: Turkish Airlines may keep adding flights or use bigger planes on its main UK routes.
• No new cities (for now): Unless there is a big change in demand, don’t expect new UK city launches in 2026.

For Travelers

• Stay updated: Always check official airline websites and trusted news sources for the latest route announcements.
• Plan ahead: With more flights and options, booking early can help you get the best deals.

Practical Guidance and Takeaways

• If you live near East Midlands Airport: You can now fly direct to Antalya with SunExpress starting summer 2026.
• If you want to fly Turkish Airlines: Stick to the main UK airports—no new cities are being added in 2026.
• For all travelers: Check visa requirements before booking. Use official government websites for the most accurate information.
• For the latest updates: Visit the Turkish Airlines press room and SunExpress.com.

Conclusion

There is no evidence that Turkish Airlines will launch new flights to a UK city in 2026. The only confirmed new UK–Turkey route for 2026 is SunExpress’ East Midlands–Antalya service, which reflects a broader strategy of using partnerships for regional growth while Turkish Airlines focuses on making its main UK routes even stronger. For travelers, this means more choices, especially if you live near East Midlands Airport. For the latest news, keep an eye on official airline press releases and trusted travel news sources.

If you’re planning a trip between the UK and Turkey in 2026, you now have more options than ever—just make sure you’re booking with the right airline for your needs, and always check the latest travel and visa rules before you go.

Learn Today

SunExpress → A joint venture airline owned by Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa focusing on affordable holiday flights.
East Midlands Airport → A regional UK airport serving the Midlands, now linked directly to Antalya by SunExpress.
Turkish Airlines → Turkey’s flagship airline operating major UK routes, focusing on big city connections to Istanbul.
Visa → Official permission required for many travelers entering Turkey, depending on nationality and travel purpose.
Istanbul Hub → Main airport and connecting point for Turkish Airlines flights to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

This Article in a Nutshell

In 2026, SunExpress expands with direct East Midlands–Antalya flights, increasing UK accessibility. Turkish Airlines boosts current route frequencies but halts new city launches. Travelers gain more options, especially in regional airports, enhancing convenience and affordability for UK-Turkey travel amid growing demand for holiday flights.
— By VisaVerge.com