ASMARA WELCOMES INAUGURAL TURKISH AIRLINES FLIGHT
(Posted 20th August 2014)
Turkish Airlines yesterday launched flights from Istanbul to Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea. This is Turkish’s 33rd destination in Africa as the airline continues its rollout to more countries on the continent in line with expansion plans announced last year. Initially will Turkish serve Asmara three times a week, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, using an Airbus A321 on a routing via Taif in Saudi Arabia.
The maiden flight arrived yesterday night to a traditional water cannon welcome at the Asmara International Airport. Eritrea is one of Africa’s less visited countries inspite of a rich history and scenic landscapes from the shores of the Red Sea into the mountains, where the capital Asmara is located. Independent since 1993 when after a referendum victory the country broke away from Ethiopia, is the mainstay economic activity mining, with tourism playing only a minute role, leaving the entire coastline of the Red Sea, nearly 1.350 kilometres, unutilized as far as beach resorts are concerned. The country declared its intent to turn the coast from the border with Sudan to the border with Djibouti into a conservation zone including the off shore islands belonging to Eritrea.
Turkish is a member of global industry leader Star Alliance and one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, also holding the record of flying to the most countries among the leading airlines. For added information on schedules, fares and destinations click on www.turkishairlines.com
