SunExpress — a joint venture between the Lufthansa Group and Turkish Airlines — has applied to the US Department of Transportation for an exemption and foreign air carrier permit to operate charter services between Turkey and the United States.

Turkey's SunExpress, a leisure airline based in Antalya, said it is not planning any scheduled service between the two countries but is rather looking into the possibility of operating ACMI/charter operation on behalf of other carriers during the low season particularly in the winter.

"Due to strong seasonality, SunExpress is exploring the possibility to lease out capacity as of Winter 21/22 to other countries. Because of this, the application was made. SunExpress does not intend to operate to such countries, like the US or Canada," spokeswoman Hannah Gatzka was quoted as saying, without disclosing any more details about the plan.

SunExpress reportedly said in its DoT application that it "believed" the carrier to be a Turkish-owned airline despite a 40% stake held by Lufthansa with Turkish Airlines owning 49.9996% of the carrier — and the rest held by various Turkish individuals.

The carrier currently operates 41 B737-800s and has 42 B737-8s.