Korean Air launched its inaugural flight to Lisbon, Portugal on September 11. Flight KE921 departed from Incheon at 11:50 am, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s expansion in Europe.
To commemorate the occasion, a celebration was held at Incheon Airport, attended by representatives from Korean Air, the embassy and the airport including Keehong Woo, President of Korean Air; Kwang Ho Ko, Vice President and Head of Korea Regional Headquarters, Korean Air; H.E. Susana Vaz Patto, Ambassador of Portugal to the Republic of Korea; and Inês Pereira de Queiroz, Director, Visit Portugal for Japan and South Korea.
Starting from September 11, Korean Air will operate direct flights between Incheon and Lisbon three times a week. Flight KE921 departs from Incheon every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 1:10 pm, and arrives in Lisbon at 8:10 pm local time. The return flight, KE922, departs from Lisbon at 10:10 pm on the same day and arrives in Incheon the following day at 7:10 pm. The flight durations are 15 hours and 10 minutes for flight KE921 and 13 hours for KE922.
The route will be serviced by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring 278 seats, including 24 in Prestige Class and 254 in Economy Class.
Turkish Airlines heading back Down Under
Turkish Airlines has announced it will launch flights to Sydney from December 4, adding a second Australian destination to the carrier’s global network. The airline, which flies to more countries than any other, will operate four weekly flights to Australia’s largest city via Kuala Lumpur using an Airbus A350-900 aircraft. This new route – which will eventually become a non-stop service from Istanbul to Sydney once the carrier receives delivery of new aircraft capable of flying direct to Australia – comes after Turkish Airlines launched flights to Melbourne in March this year. While strengthening Turkish Airlines’ presence Down Under, this new route will also further reinforce ties between Türkiye and Australia, driving growth in tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.
Prof. Ahmet Bolat, Turkish Airlines’ Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, said: “We are happy to announce the launch of our Sydney route, which opens another chapter for us in the continent. This new route not only enhances our flight network but also reaffirms our commitment to our presence in Australia as we connect our guests to new opportunities and experiences with the comfort and hospitality of Turkish Airlines. Sydney will also be our first destination in Australia to have non-stop flights when we receive the aircraft capable of making the journey in a single leg.”
John Graham, New South Wales (NSW) Minister for Jobs and Tourism, said he was thrilled about Turkish Airlines flying to Sydney, giving European travellers direct access to the state’s world-class visitor experiences. “The NSW Government has worked closely with Sydney Airport and Turkish Airlines to secure this new service. Sydney is the gateway to Australia and supporting this new route holds enormous potential for the growth of the state’s visitor economy.”
Scott Charlton, Sydney Airport CEO, said: “This announcement of direct flights marks a significant milestone for travel to Europe, offering passengers seamless access to hundreds of destinations from Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul hub. “We are proud of Turkish Airlines, Sydney and NSW for their first non-stop service, which is a strong endorsement of everything our city and state has to offer. In the meantime, passengers will get to experience Turkish Airlines’ award-winning service from Sydney to Istanbul via Kuala Lumpur in December 2024.”
Charlton added: “With more than 15,000 Turkish-born Australians in NSW and Türkiye consistently rated as one of the top destinations for Australian travellers, we’re confident this service will be strongly supported. Today’s announcement is also incredibly important for the Sydney and NSW economies and speaks to the impact of international aviation in supporting our visitor economy. We’re looking forward to Turkish Airlines’ inaugural flight and growing their services in the years to come.”
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