Turkish Airlines' low-cost arm AnadoluJet has expanded its route network by adding direct Istanbul to Rome flights. The inaugural flight between Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) and Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (FCO) took place on May 26, 2023, lasting more than two hours.
Daily flights to Rome
The Ankara-based AnadoluJet will operate daily flights between Istanbul and Rome, as per the airline's report. With this new addition, AnadoluJet, which already operates seven weekly flights to Italy, has doubled its weekly frequency to 14 by introducing the Rome flights. In addition, with this new route, the number of international destinations AnadoluJet flies from SAW Airport has increased to 38.
Although the specific aircraft for the route has not been disclosed by the airline, data from Flightradar24.com indicates that AnadoluJet deployed its Airbus A320neo jet for the inaugural flight. Going forward, the airline plans to utilize its Boeing 737 fleet for the upcoming trips.
It is worth noting that the airline currently has a total of 79 aircraft in its fleet at an average age of 12.3 years, according to Planespotters.net data. Of them, 52 Boeing 737s (seven MAX 8s and 45 standard 737-800s), 17 Airbus A321s (six A321-200s and 11 A321neos), and ten Airbus A320s (four A320neos and six A320-200s).
Turkish Airlines to spin off AnadoluJet?
Towards the end of 2022, Turkish Airlines, the parent company of AnadoluJet, reportedly made plans to separate and divest from its low-cost regional subsidiary, allowing for independent growth and transforming AnadoluJet into a standalone carrier.
Turkish Airlines' chairman Ahmet Bolat has highlighted the recovery of AnadoluJet in the post-pandemic period. With an average load factor of 90%, surpassing the airline group's overall average of 80%, the time has come for AnadoluJet to establish itself as an independent entity, the chairman said. This transition is not only crucial for the carrier's presence in the domestic market, where it predominantly operates, but also for its expansion into the international arena.
According to a ch-aviation.com report released in February, the strategic plan for AnadoluJet foresees "reinventing AnadoluJet's brand positioning, revenue composition, and cost structure in a way that will increase its competitiveness, and owning a fleet of 200 aircraft, all of which will be new generation aircraft".
This was not the first instance of Turkish Airlines expressing its intention to grant AnadoluJet independent status. The initial proposal to spin off Turkish Airlines' subsidiary as a separate low-cost carrier surfaced in early 2021. Former Chairman Ilker Ayci outlined the plan to establish AnadoluJet as an independent carrier wholly owned by Turkish Airlines in the initial phase.
Founded in 2008, AnadoluJet is an airline brand created by Turkish Airlines. It currently operates regional flights across Western Europe, Western Asia, and Cyprus for its parent company.
What are your thoughts on the new route between Istanbul and Rome? Have you ever flown with AnadoluJet? Let us know in the comments section below.
Get the latest aviation news straight to your inbox: Sign up for our newsletters today.
Sources: Flightradar24.com, Planespotters.net, ch-aviation.com