- SunExpress is cutting around 10pc of its winter capacity
- The airline will offer 4.5m seats instead of 5m
- Fuel costs surged by roughly €200m this year
- Ticket fares are expected to increase by up to 10pc next year
- The airline operates 86 Boeing narrowbody aircraft
SunExpress is reducing its network capacity by approximately 10pc this winter to mitigate the financial impact of soaring aviation fuel prices. The leisure carrier, a joint venture between Deutsche Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, will trim its winter seat offerings from 5m down to 4.5m. The 10pc capacity cut will be achieved by scaling back daily flight frequencies and cancelling specific domestic routes within Turkey.
Chief Executive Officer Marcus Schnabel revealed that the airline’s fuel bill surged by roughly €200m this year even after accounting for hedging strategies, with costs projected to escalate further heading into next year. To offset costs, SunExpress expects its ticket prices to increase by up to 10pc next year while working alongside partners to keep overall holiday package pricing stable.
SunExpress is developing an upscale bundle option that allows passengers to book a free middle seat, priority boarding and meals simultaneously. The airline currently operates 86 Boeing narrowbody aircraft and is scheduled to take delivery of 11 fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX 8 models next year to lower its structural per-seat fuel burn. Executives at Ryanair and Lufthansa have similarly warned that rising fuel pressures will drive ticket prices higher through 2027.
Marcus Schnabel shared “The airline’s fuel bill surged by roughly €200 million this year even after accounting for hedging strategies, with costs projected to escalate further heading into next year.”
