Direct flights between Australia and Turkey are now possible following the signing of the first ever air services agreement between our two countries.

Under the new arrangements, finalised in time for this year’s ANZAC Day events at Gallipoli, Australian and Turkish airlines can immediately begin operating up to five direct flights per week. Up until now, Australians wanting to visit Turkey had to travel via a third country such as Singapore.

The agreement also allows the carriers of both countries to enter into code-share arrangements with the airlines of a third country to provide services between Australia and Turkey via intermediate destinations.

Today’s announcement is another major milestone in the continuing development of Australia’s almost century old relationship with Turkey.

During 2009, more than 60,000 people travelled between Australia and Turkey, with over 80 per cent of these travellers being Australians.

The new agreement marks further progress towards the Government’s objective, as outlined in our Aviation White Paper, of an open and competitive international aviation market.