SunExpress is an international airline based in Turkey, with its main hubs located at Antalya and Izmir. The airline was founded in 1989 as a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and the Lufthansa Group, and has since become one of the leading airlines in the region, with a fleet of more than sixty aircraft serving destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

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SunExpress began operations in 1989 with a fleet of just two Boeing 737-400s, and services were initially limited to Turkish domestic destinations. Over the years, the airline has expanded its operations and now serves over fifty destinations in twenty-four countries. In addition to the original two Boeing 737s, SunExpress now operates a fleet of Airbus A320s, Boeing 737-800s, and Bombardier CRJ900s.

SunExpress has grown significantly since its inception and has achieved numerous milestones along the way. In 1997, the airline became the first Turkish airline to be granted permission to fly to the United States, and subsequently began a service from Istanbul to New York. In 2007, the airline achieved another major milestone when it became the first Turkish carrier to introduce a frequent flyer program. In 2009, SunExpress became the first Turkish airline to join the Star Alliance, and since then has expanded its network to include more than sixty destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

The airline has also experienced a number of challenges over the years, including the 2008 financial crisis, rising fuel prices, and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. SunExpress has responded to these challenges through cost-cutting measures and other initiatives, such as introducing a new loyalty program, expanding its network to include new destinations, and increasing its fleet size.

SunExpress has also experienced a number of incidents over the years, most notably the crash of flight TK-1903 in 2009, which resulted in the death of nine people. The investigation into the crash revealed that the cause was a combination of pilot error and technical failure, and resulted in a number of safety enhancements being implemented across the airline’s fleet. In addition, SunExpress has also been subject to a number of federal investigations, most notably in 2015 when the airline was fined for illegal price-fixing practices.

Despite the challenges and incidents it has faced over the years, SunExpress continues to be one of the leading airlines in the region, with a fleet of more than sixty aircraft and a network of over fifty destinations. The airline has achieved numerous milestones since its inception and continues to strive for excellence in the aviation industry.