Germany and Turkey: SunExpress and Eurowings Set to Revolutionize Air Travel with New Codeshare Agreement

In a significant move that signals greater cooperation in the European and Turkish aviation markets, Wizz Air and SunExpress have announced a new codeshare agreement set to launch in early July 2025. This agreement is expected to bring about an expansion of services between Germany and Turkey, providing travelers with more flexible flight options while also facilitating better connectivity. With the codeshare scheduled to coincide with the peak northern summer travel period, this partnership promises to enhance the travel experience for thousands of passengers traveling between these key destinations.

The agreement marks the beginning of a closer commercial relationship between two low-cost airlines. Wizz Air, a subsidiary of Lufthansa, and SunExpress, a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, have long operated in the same airspace, but the formalization of this codeshare agreement is seen as an important step in aligning their operations. Although the airlines are not new competitors, this collaboration reflects a shift in the dynamic of their shared markets. The codeshare agreement will not only benefit the airlines involved but also offer passengers increased access to a wider range of destinations across both Germany and Türkiye.

The Background of the Codeshare Agreement: Bridging the Gap in the Germany-Türkiye Air Travel Market

Historically, the relationship between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, both giants of the European aviation industry, has been somewhat strained. The airlines had a bilateral codeshare agreement for many years, but this was discontinued more than a decade ago. Since then, despite mutual interests in the same markets, the two airlines have not resumed the formal codeshare partnership. As a result, many passengers traveling between Germany and Türkiye have faced limited options for seamless flights, especially in comparison to the vast network of global carriers.

However, the new codeshare between SunExpress and Wizz Air could represent a positive shift in this relationship. Although SunExpress has long been a dominant player in the German-Türkish market, operating significantly more flights than Wizz Air, the codeshare agreement allows both airlines to benefit from each other’s networks. For SunExpress, the collaboration with Wizz Air offers an additional sales channel and an opportunity to expand its reach, while Wizz Air gains access to SunExpress’ extensive routes and market share. This partnership opens up a wider selection of destinations for travelers, particularly those flying between Germany and Türkiye.

The First Phase of the Codeshare: Routes and Services

The first phase of the codeshare agreement will see Eurowings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lufthansa, carrying the SunExpress XQ code on five routes between Germany and Türkiye. These routes are expected to operate starting in early July 2025, with the first flights on July 4th. The selected routes include key connections such as Cologne/Bonn to Samsun, Duesseldorf to Zafer, and Stuttgart to Çukurova, among others. In some cases, these routes are already served by both Eurowings and SunExpress, with the two carriers operating on a duopoly.

For example, on the Cologne/Bonn-Samsun route, both Eurowings and SunExpress will offer one flight per week, while on Duesseldorf-Samsun, the flight frequency is primarily driven by SunExpress, which operates four flights weekly. On the Cologne/Bonn-Kayseri route, where there is competition from Pegasus Airlines and Corendon Airlines, the collaboration between SunExpress and Eurowings will still provide a competitive advantage, with both airlines offering more weekly flights than their competitors.

This initial phase of the codeshare agreement offers passengers increased flexibility in choosing their preferred carriers and access to more flight options. By combining the strengths of both airlines, the codeshare arrangement creates a more seamless travel experience for customers, allowing them to book flights more easily and gain access to a wider array of destinations.

The Expansion to Antalya: A Broader Reach for Both Airlines

The second phase of the codeshare agreement is set to focus on expanding the partnership to include routes from SunExpress’ hub in Antalya, a major tourism destination on the Turkish Riviera. These routes will carry the Eurowings EW code, further extending the partnership and offering passengers an even broader selection of destinations to choose from. While the exact routes and dates for this phase have not yet been disclosed, the expansion into Antalya is expected to increase connectivity between Europe and Turkey, catering to both leisure and business travelers.

Antalya, with its beautiful beaches, resorts, and rich cultural heritage, has long been a popular destination for European tourists. The addition of more flight options to and from this destination is likely to make it even easier for travelers to visit, whether they are embarking on a holiday, business trip, or exploring the region’s cultural treasures. The codeshare agreement will not only benefit the airlines involved but also contribute to the growing tourism flow between Germany and Türkiye, providing a more efficient travel experience for passengers.

SunExpress: Leading the Charge in the Germany-Türkiye Market

SunExpress has long been the leader in the Germany-Türkiye air travel market, with a substantial share of the seat capacity. As of August 2025, SunExpress is scheduled to operate more than 47% of the seats in this market, a figure that more than doubles the seat share of Turkish Airlines, its co-owner. With its focus on low-cost leisure travel, SunExpress has become the airline of choice for many travelers seeking affordable options to fly between Germany and Türkiye. This dominance in the market allows SunExpress to cater to the needs of both leisure travelers and families visiting relatives, a key demographic for flights between the two countries.

SunExpress has expanded its operations over the years, reaching a broader international network. Over the past decade, it has grown from serving just 13 countries to now operating in 30 countries worldwide. This growth has helped position SunExpress as Türkiye’s third-largest airline, behind Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines. As of August 2025, SunExpress is expected to carry more than 500,000 passengers between Germany and Türkiye, making it a key player in the aviation industry in both countries.

A Shift in Focus: SunExpress and Eurowings Join Forces to Expand Their Reach

Although SunExpress dominates the Germany-Türkiye route, the partnership with Eurowings signifies a strategic shift that benefits both airlines. The codeshare agreement allows both SunExpress and Eurowings to offer passengers a wider range of connections and more options for seamless travel. While SunExpress currently operates 103 routes between Germany and Türkiye, Eurowings’ participation will provide it with the opportunity to expand its reach, even though the airline currently has just five routes in this market.

Eurowings’ decision to collaborate with SunExpress marks an important development in the airline’s strategy, as it seeks to strengthen its position in the competitive European low-cost market. While Eurowings has a relatively smaller presence in the Germany-Türkiye market, this partnership allows it to leverage SunExpress’ extensive network and increase its market share in a highly sought-after travel corridor. The partnership between these two airlines will help diversify their offerings and enhance their ability to compete in a fast-growing market.

A Symbol of Improved Relations Between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines

The new codeshare agreement between SunExpress and Eurowings can also be seen as a potential sign of improving relations between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, two of the largest players in the global aviation industry. Although the two airlines have not codeshared since 2013, the partnership between SunExpress and Eurowings demonstrates that there is a willingness to collaborate in specific markets. SunExpress, as a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, has long been a symbol of cooperation between these two aviation giants, despite the cooler relations between their parent companies in recent years.

The launch of this new codeshare agreement could serve as a first step toward further collaboration between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines in other markets, particularly in the rapidly expanding low-cost travel sector. The partnership may pave the way for more joint ventures, ultimately benefiting travelers by offering better connectivity and more flight options.

The Future of the Germany-Türkiye Travel Corridor

As the codeshare partnership between SunExpress and Eurowings continues to evolve, the future of the Germany-Türkiye travel corridor looks promising. Both airlines are well-positioned to benefit from this collaboration, which aims to enhance the travel experience for passengers while also improving the financial performance of both companies. As the codeshare expands to include more routes, travelers will have access to a greater selection of destinations and more flexibility in choosing their flights.

The success of this partnership could have a ripple effect across the aviation industry, encouraging other airlines to explore similar collaborations in the low-cost sector. By working together, SunExpress and Eurowings are setting a precedent for future codeshare agreements, which could further revolutionize the European low-cost aviation market and provide passengers with a more seamless and affordable travel experience.

Conclusion: A New Chapter in Airline Cooperation

The launch of the SunExpress and Eurowings codeshare agreement marks a new chapter in the evolution of the Germany-Türkiye air travel market. This strategic collaboration will not only provide passengers with more flight options but will also benefit both airlines by allowing them to expand their reach and improve operational efficiency. As the partnership grows and expands to include more routes, both airlines are likely to solidify their positions as major players in the European low-cost market. The codeshare agreement between SunExpress and Eurowings also signals the potential for a broader collaboration between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, with implications for the future of low-cost aviation. The partnership represents a promising step forward in the industry, with benefits for both airlines and travelers alike.