Turkish Airlines (THY) continues its global expansion by adding new destinations to its international flight network. Most recently, THY added Melbourne, Australia, to its flight schedule and is preparing to launch flights to Santiago, Chile, in December. Additionally, the historic Chinese city of Xi’an is on THY’s radar.
During a press event held in Sydney, Turkish Airlines General Manager Bilal Ekşi shared details about the airline’s new routes:
“Flights to Santiago will begin in December. Following that, we’ll start flights to Xi’an, China. We’re also planning flights to Ohrid and are in talks with Cambodia. Additionally, we’re considering adding a new destination in Africa and expanding our existing routes.”
Record Profitability in International Flights
THY’s international routes remain the cornerstone of its financial success. According to Ekşi, 99% of the $3 billion profit achieved in 2022 came from international flights. While addressing challenges in domestic operations, he stated:
“In domestic routes, all airlines are either operating at a loss or barely surviving. However, as the national carrier, we continue flying domestically as part of our social responsibility.”
Istanbul Airport and Passenger Satisfaction
Highlighting the importance of Istanbul Airport in THY’s growth, Ekşi emphasized the advantages it provides:
“Our growth wouldn’t have been this efficient without Istanbul Airport. Additionally, we conduct surveys with approximately 100,000 passengers monthly. Our satisfaction rate for cabin services exceeds 80%. However, we aim to improve this further through specially trained cabin crews.”
Fleet Expansion and Future Goals
THY’s fleet is rapidly expanding. Ekşi noted that in 2003, the airline operated 65 aircraft, ranking 35th globally, while today, with 493 aircraft, it has climbed to 9th place. Regarding future strategies, he added:
“We aim to increase our fleet to 813 aircraft by 2033. Our agreements with Airbus are complete, and we are in talks with Boeing for an order of 300 aircraft.”
Strong Expectations for Sydney and Melbourne Routes
THY has high expectations for its Sydney and Melbourne routes, targeting 100,000 passengers annually. Ekşi stated that the airline has a solid infrastructure in the market and, with existing partnerships, generates $50 million in annual revenue, expressing confidence in achieving their goals.
Turkish Airlines’ rise in the global aviation industry continues unabated, bolstered by new routes and an expanding fleet.
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