TURKISH MOVES 2015 TARGET FROM FIVE TO TEN NEW DESTINATIONS IN AFRICA
(Posted 23rd November 2014)
As an airline which arrived on the world stage almost by stealth and has become THE carrier with the widest international network, beating the likes of Emirates to that present title, has Turkish Airlines progressively pushed into Africa and from the latest information at hand seeks to further strengthen that position in 2015.
Already one of the airlines’ main markets with sustained growth has Turkish’ Airlines CEO Dr. Temel Kotil, moved the goal posts for next year when he announced during the week that instead of adding just 5 destinations in Africa the airline would seek to double that number next year, without being specific though as to new countries or cities.
Using mainly their B737NG fleet, deploying the B737-800 and the larger B737-900 on many of their existing routes into Africa, has Turkish, inspite of the perception of lower comfort standards in a single aisle aircraft versus a twin aisle aircraft managed to become one of the strongest foreign carriers flying across Africa, in part because of fares, in part because of service expectations – raised at times beyond reality through their smart advertising campaigns – and in part because they do offer almost instant connections out of their Istanbul hub to literally any corner of the globe.
It is there that the main challenge now rests for them as their current hub is becoming increasingly congested and only when in a few years’ time the new Istanbul airport is open, purpose built to cater for Turkish to have a hub airport commensurate to their global standing, will that challenge be satisfactorily resolved.
Meanwhile does Turkish remain an airline to be closely watched as they continue to roll out across Africa, with the Turkish business community in tow to establish trade AND political links on the continent.
Watch this space for breaking and regular aviation news from Eastern Africa and the continent at large.
