Turkish Airlines Expands Strategic Ties with New Seville Route to Spain

On September 17, 2025, Turkish Airlines unveiled a new route to Seville (SVQ), Spain, reaffirming its dedication to expanding operations in both Spain and Latin America. The airline’s Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, Ahmet Bolat, highlighted the importance of this development during an event in Seville, which was graced by the Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu. The launch celebration included cultural activities and a photo exhibition that showcased various destinations in Turkey.

In a media Q&A session, Bolat discussed the airline’s ambitious plans for global expansion. He emphasized the opportunities for tourism growth between Spain and Turkey, alongside enhancing business collaborations. The two nations have recently synchronized their efforts on various subjects, from defense cooperation to their responses concerning the Gaza conflict.

Bolat mentioned that the decision to introduce the Seville route followed a thorough evaluation of Spain’s market potential, building on Turkish Airlines’ successful 12-year experience in Malaga (AGP), another city in Andalusia. This strategy is designed to bolster connections and enhance travel options in the region.

Turkish Airlines views Spain as a vital gateway to the Latin American market. When questioned about the recent acquisition of a minority stake in Air Europa, the second-largest airline in Spain, Bolat clarified that the relationship would be collaborative rather than controlling. Both airlines are looking to work together on loyalty programs, although detailed specifics were not provided.

According to Bolat, this collaboration will enable Turkish Airlines to deepen its reach into the Latin American sector by benefiting from Air Europa’s established presence. The airline flies to numerous destinations there, including major cities like Buenos Aires (EZE), Sao Paulo (GRU), Santiago de Chile (SCL), and Bogota (BOG). There is a concerted effort to draw even more traffic from this area, reflecting Turkey’s increasing appeal as a tourist destination.

Tourism as a Catalyst for Growth

Turkish Airlines not only serves as a key intercontinental connector but also actively promotes Turkey as a tourist haven, showcasing its rich historical and cultural heritage. Notable World Heritage sites, such as Göbekli Tepe—a 12,000-year-old archaeological site in southeastern Turkey—feature prominently in the airline’s marketing. These attractions are expected to diversify tourist flows, encouraging travel beyond Istanbul.

Bolat is optimistic that tourist traffic between Spain and Turkey, two of the world’s most visited countries, will continue to rise. He projected that Turkish Airlines’ group airlines, which include AJet and SunExpress, could carry around 400,000 passengers annually in both directions within a few years.

Additionally, on the same day of the Seville route launch, Turkish Airlines announced a new service to Port Sudan (PZU), the second-largest city in the country, set to operate twice weekly until September 29, 2025, when it will increase to three flights per week.