Turkish Airlines wants to fly to more cities in Asia as it considers the continent to be "very important" growth play, the head of its national flag carrier has said.
"Asian market is very much important for us … ," M. Ilker Ayci, chairman of the carrier, told a group of international journalists in the company's headquarters in the historic city recently.
He said his airlines is also attaching importance to Fareast Asia, including Japan.
"We're developing new products (to attract passengers)," he said.
Turkish Airlines may increase flights to Indian cities as well. It now flies to Delhi and Mumbai in India.
"India is an important destination for us," he said.
The Airlines boss said cabin crew are being selected considering proficiency in languages like the Japanese to communicate with the passengers easily.
The chief of Turkish Airlines said they do not treat their passengers just as customers or clients, rather as 'Mehman' or 'guests'.
He hinted that the airline would soon recruit air hostesses who can speak in different languages of Asia.
He said his carrier now flies to most of the major destinations in the world. And it is the No. 1 carrier in terms of destinations covered.
The carrier is the 4th biggest airlines network in the world, Mr. Ayci said, adding: "We expect to surpass Frankfurt, Paris and Heathrow airports soon."
He also said that the airlines will have new airport lounges in the Fareast soon. Currently, it has biggest lounge in Istanbul, followed by Moscow.
Turkish Airlines joins UEFA EURO 2016 as the airlines partner.
It expects to carry 64 million passengers this year. It will also be flying to new destinations like Bali in Indonesia and Seychelles.
The Seychelles will include a stopover in Istanbul.
   jasimharoon@yahoo.com
Turkish Airlines to bet on Asia as growth play: Chairman
Jasim Uddin Haroon, back from Istanbul, Turkey | Published: September 16, 2016 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
M. Ilker Ayci
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