Turkish Airlines prioritizes expansion in Africa

“We give priority to Africa,” he told members of the media from Ethiopia visiting Istanbul, Turkey's historic tourist attraction and commercial capital.

During a two-day trip, organized by Turkish Airlines, participants got the chance to visit historical sites in Turkey and the operations of Turkish Airlines, including its award-winning flight training center.

In a presentation to the journalists, Eminoglu said the airline saw 12.8% growth in its passenger numbers in 2008-2018, three times the world average.

Turkish Cargo, the airline’s freight division, serves 86 destinations, with its global market share growing from 0.7% in 2010 to 2.22% in 2018.

The ultra-modern Istanbul Airport, which opened last fall, should accommodate growing passenger and cargo demands across the world, he said.

Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul hub is the largest in the world, said Eminoglu.

Turkish Airlines flies to 311 destinations in 124 countries – a huge leap from its humble beginning of four Turkish destinations in 1933, and 55 countries and 103 destinations in 2003.

“Last year 40 million visitors came to Turkey,” he said, stressing the close link between tourism and the aviation Industry, which Turkish Airlines taps into for its growth and expansion.

Asked if U.S. aircraft maker Boeing grounding its 737-8 Max aircraft worldwide amid safety questions had had an impact on Turkish Airlines expansion, Eminoglu said any impact had been minimal.

“We have 12 Boeing 737 Maxes, but we managed to make up for that by employing our Airbus fleet,” he said.