TURKISH ANNOUNCES CHANGES FOR EAST AFRICA FLIGHTS
Information was given by Turkish Airlines about a number of changes to flight schedules and aircraft used for their destinations in Eastern Africa, effective start of the traditional winter schedule.
Kigali will from 28th October be served 5 times a week, getting one more flight using a B737-800 in two class configuration of business and economy. This flight will route Istanbul Kigali Entebbe Istanbul, giving Entebbe an additional frequency too, reflecting risen demand for flights to both Uganda and Rwanda.
In contrast will the currently daily flights to Dar es Salaam be reduced from presently daily flights to only 5 per week, also effective 28th October.
The daily flights to Nairobi / Kenya will see a slight shift in capacity as Turkish Airlines will switch from the B737-800 to the latest B737-900ER version, which offers more seats in business class compared to the standard layout in the -800 version but also adds more underfloor cargo capacity.
With 186 aircraft on the fleet at present, and a significant number of more on order, Turkish has established itself in recent years almost in stealth as a major hub and spoke carrier, linking a growing number of destinations around the world through Istanbul. Alongside coming to East Africa Turkish Airlines presence has also spurred a trading boom for Turkish businesses, with regular trade delegations making appearances in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. This goes to show that the national airline is also of strategic importance to the Turkey overall, aiding an increase of exports of Turkish goods to Africa while facilitating nonstop travel from a rapidly growing number of African destinations to the commercial capital of Istanbul. Watch this space.
