ISTANBUL (AA) - September 21, 2012 - Turkish national air carrier, Turkish Airlines (THY) announced on Friday that they extended a deal with Los Angeles Lakers star, Kobie Bryant with another two years.
Hamdi Topcu, chairman of executive board of THY, held a press conference with participation of Bryant at head office of the airlines in Istanbul on Friday and said the deal with its "global brand ambassador" Bryant was extended for another two years.
Bryant will star in a commercial film of THY together with Argentine footballer Lionel Messi.
The commercial film to be shot cooperatively by teams from Turkey, the Netherlands, Britain, Spain and the United States will be televised in the world at the end of the year.
Bryant said that THY was very successful, stating that it was number one in the world with respect to services.
He said he would work to contribute to the airlines as far as he could.
Topcu said that THY was a global power and THY planes flew to 90 countries currently.
Headquartered in Istanbul, THY operates scheduled services to 150 international and 41 domestic cities (38 domestic airports), serving a total of 187 airports, in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
Turkish Airlines increased its sales revenue by 40% in 2011, compared to 2010, and recorded operating profit of 339 million TL (185.04 million USD). Net profit came in at 19 million TL (10.3 million USD).
Number of passengers carried increased by 12%, reaching 32.7 million in 2011.
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