en.Wedoany.com Reported - Turkish Airlines will launch scheduled flights to Lima, Peru, marking the latest step in the carrier's expansion in the Latin American market. The Istanbul-based airline stated in a regulatory filing that it has decided to operate flights to the Peruvian capital "based on market conditions," without disclosing the specific launch date, route, frequency, or aircraft type.
Lima will become Turkish Airlines' 10th destination in Latin America and the Caribbean, joining Bogota, Buenos Aires, Cancun, Caracas, Havana (currently suspended), Mexico City, Panama City, Santiago, and Sao Paulo. Some of these markets are served via tag-on flights, reflecting both geographical distance and operational constraints on ultra-long-haul flights from Istanbul.
This move helps Turkish Airlines strengthen its presence in South America while leveraging Peru's policy to attract more long-haul flights. Tourism promotion agency Promperu has identified several underserved long-haul markets, including Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Asian destinations, as key targets. The expanded Jorge Chavez International Airport provides additional capacity for growth and enhances Lima's ambition to develop into a regional hub. Recent achievements include Air Canada resuming Toronto flights and Level launching services from Barcelona. However, the introduction of a transit passenger fee at the airport poses challenges to Lima's hub vision. Industry organizations such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) argue that the fee could undermine the airport's competitiveness against regional hubs like Bogota and Panama City.
The Lima route announcement comes amid intensifying competition among European airlines for Latin American traffic. In June, Europe-Latin America capacity rose to approximately 754,000 weekly round-trip seats. Market leaders include Iberia (12.7% share), Air France (11%), Air Europa (7.4%), KLM (6.4%), TAP Air Portugal (6.3%), and British Airways (5.4%). According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, Turkish Airlines currently offers about 23,100 weekly round-trip seats in its Europe-Latin America network, accounting for roughly 3% of total capacity. The Star Alliance member's most recent new route was the launch of flights to Santiago, Chile via Sao Paulo in December 2024.
Turkish Airlines is seeking to further expand in this market by investing in Air Europa. Spain recently approved its acquisition of a minority stake in the Madrid-based leisure carrier, which serves over 20 destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, Turkish Airlines is preparing for the next phase of long-haul expansion through a fleet renewal program. The carrier has ordered 15 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft as part of a broader agreement covering 70 A350 series planes, with initial deliveries expected to begin in mid-2027. The airline has already launched flights to Melbourne and Sydney, Australia with stopovers, and has previously identified Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima, Melbourne, and Sydney as candidates for future non-stop flights once the A350-1000 enters service. Other potential long-haul destinations under consideration include Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and Orlando.
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