According to reports, the Australian federal government has signed its first air services agreement with Turkey to allow airlines to immediately start direct flights up to five times a week. The Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported that carriers from both countries can also enter into code-sharing arrangements with the airlines of a third country to provide services between the two nations via a third destination.
In 2009, of the more than 60,000 people to travel between Australia and Turkey, 80 percent of those were Australians, the AAP noted.
The deal between Australia and Turkey comes approximately two months before the annual memorial ceremonies held on the historic Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25 to commemorate the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) troops who fought at Gallipoli during World War I.
April 25, when the Gallipoli landing began, is ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand. The two countries lost thousands of soldiers in Gallipoli, and the battle was key in the creation of Australia and New Zealand’s national identities.
