Turkish Airlines continues to grow in the Asia-Pacific region. The flag carrier is continuing to expand its capacity in the Asia-Pacific market—particularly in China—as well as its new connection corridor planned via Istanbul, its long-haul flight strategy, its plans for Australia, and its international partnership opportunities
Prof. Dr. Murat Şeker, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, discussed the airline’s new investments and plans in the Asia-Pacific market in an interview with Nikkei Asia, one of Asia’s leading business publications.
Prof. Dr. Murat Şeker noted that East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania are among Turkish Airlines’ most profitable regions, and stated that, in line with the expansion of its wide-body aircraft fleet, the airline aims to increase flight frequencies in the region by 15–20 percent in the coming years.
Murat Şeker, noting that the planned capacity increase for China had been brought forward, said that flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou had been increased earlier than planned. Nikkei Asia reported that, in this context, the airline’s weekly flight count to China has reached 42 this year—an increase of 10 flights—and that its current traffic rights allow for growth up to 49 flights. While flights to Chengdu are scheduled to begin in November, Urumqi was also listed among Turkish Airlines’ new flight plans.
Murat Şeker, noting that long-haul routes will play a major role in future growth, said they plan to create an additional connection corridor between Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Far East by adding second and third flights to certain cities.
