SunExpress 2026 Expansion: New Direct Flights Boost Antalya Real Estate Investment
Major Airline Expansion Opens Turkish Riviera to UK and Ireland Investors
The Turkish Riviera is about to become significantly more accessible to international property buyers. SunExpress, the joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, has announced a major expansion that will transform connectivity between the UK, Ireland, and Antalya for summer 2026. This development creates exceptional opportunities for real estate investment in the region.
New Routes Connecting to Antalya and the Turkish Coast
SunExpress will expand its UK and Ireland operations to 12 airports, introducing multiple new routes specifically designed to increase access to Turkish destinations (GB News, 2025). The new summer 2026 routes include:
East Midlands to Antalya – 3 flights per week (starting March 31, 2026)
Cork to Antalya – 2 flights per week (Tuesdays and Saturdays)
London Gatwick to Bodrum – 2 flights per week
Manchester to Bodrum – 2 flights per week
Dublin to Dalaman – 2 flights per week
Additionally, routes launched in 2025 continue to operate:
Glasgow to Antalya – 4 flights per week
Glasgow to Dalaman – 2 flights per week
Liverpool to Antalya – 3 flights per week
By summer 2026, the airline will operate 196 weekly flights across 30 routes from 14 airports, offering 2.1 million seats—representing a 10 percent increase compared to 2025 (Travel Weekly, 2025). With return fares starting from just £189.99, the Turkish Riviera has never been more affordable or accessible (Breaking Travel News, 2025).
What This Means for Antalya Property Investors
Enhanced air connectivity directly impacts real estate markets. Direct flights from multiple UK and Ireland airports eliminate travel barriers for property buyers considering Turkish investments. The psychological and practical convenience of direct flights makes Antalya properties more attractive to international investors seeking holiday homes or rental investments.
The expanded capacity creates several opportunities for the real estate sector. Higher tourist volumes will drive increased demand for vacation rentals, leading to improved rental yields for property owners. International buyers from the UK and Irish markets will find it easier to visit properties, conduct viewings, and manage their investments.
Your Gateway to Antalya Investment
At Pamfilya Estate, we’re positioned to help international investors capitalise on this expansion. With unprecedented access from UK and Ireland airports, now is an ideal time to explore Antalya’s thriving real estate market. Whether you’re seeking a vacation home, rental investment, or permanent residence, enhanced connectivity makes your Turkish property dream more achievable than ever.
References
AeroRoutes. (2025, June 10). SunExpress NS26 UK / Ireland network additions. https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250610-xqns26
Breaking Travel News. (2025, April 9). SunExpress launches new route to Antalya from Liverpool. https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/sunexpress-launches-new-route-to-antalya-from-liverpool/
GB News. (2025, June 26). Budget airline SunExpress launches new routes from the UK to the incredible Turkish Riviera. https://www.gbnews.com/travel/antalya-sunexpress-budget-airline-new-routes
Travel Weekly. (2025). SunExpress pledges trade collaboration alongside UK and Ireland network expansion. https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/sunexpress-pledges-trade-collaboration-alongside-uk-and-ireland-network-expansion
