Turkish Airlines will begin flights between Istanbul and Melbourne in March, a move that is expected to lower airfares ahead of the European summer.

Minister for Jobs and Industry Natalie Hutchins on Friday welcomed Turkish Airlines’ decision to introduce three services each week from March 2024 with potential to grow to a daily service in the future, according to Mirage News.

Backed by the Victorian government and Melbourne Airport, this is the first time an airline has offered direct flights between Turkey and Australia. There will be a stopover in Singapore with the first flight expected to touch down in Melbourne on March 16.

“Istanbul is the only city to straddle two continents and has always been an important trading post, but it is now also one of the most important transit hubs in the world,” Melbourne Airport’s chief of aviation Jim Parashos told Executive Traveller.

The new flights will increase Victoria’s access to key European, Middle Eastern, Balkan, and African markets via Istanbul.

Turkey, the Middle East and Africa region is one of Victoria’s major trading partners, with two-way merchandise trade valued at $5.48 billion in 2022-23.