LAHORE - Turkish Airlines has started daily flights operation from Karachi, while three weekly flights from Lahore and four weekly flights from Islamabad have also been commenced, showing huge expansion programme of the Airlines.
This was stated by Turkish A?rlines Chief Executive Officer Dr Temel Kotil while talking to The Nation here on Saturday.
He said that Turkish Airlines, which has increased its coverage to 239 destinations – of which 197 are international – in 104 countries, possesses a fleet size of 231, comprising 182 narrow body, 40 wide body and nine cargo aircraft.
He said Turkish Airlines sales revenue increased 28% for the third quarter and 26% for the nine months reaching a total of 13.9 billion TRY. While operating profit stood at 864 million TRY for the third quarter, it improvedby 12% to reach 1 billion 303 million TRY for the nine months. Net profit for the third quarter was 705 million, in line with last years results, while for the nine months it was realized as 826 million TRY decreasing by 6%.
During the first nine months of 2013, 36,2 million passengers were carried implying a 24% increase in passenger traffic. In response to the 21% increase in available seat kilometers (ASK), revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) increased by 24%, resulting in 1,8 points increase in passenger load factor. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) the over all industry growth for the same period in terms of ASK and RPK was 5,0% and 4,3% respectively.
Turkish Airlines Chief Executive Officer Dr Temel Kotil said that lying to more countries than any other airline in the world Turkish Airlines’ network coverage increased to 239 destinations (197 international) in 104 countries including the 16 new international and 6 new domestic routes that have been launched in 2013. Having one of the youngest fleet in Europe with an average age of 66 years Turkish Airlines’ fleet size as of today is 231, comprising 182 narrow body, 40 wide body and 9 cargo aircraft.
Dr Temel Kotil said that while maintaining its profitability the airlines will continue to improve its network and service quality to be among the worlds leading carriers and to make Istanbul an essential hub for the international aviation industry. Kotil said that the carrier has developed its growth strategy in the framework of the long-term vision. He added that there is a code share agreement between Pakistan’s national carrier and Turkish A?rlines since 2006.
He said that Airlines desires further increase in the frequency rights between the two countries, and we would eagerly like to state that all of our additional services to Pakistan will be included in the agreement in order to ensure mutual commercial interests of both airlines. Thanks to this excellent geographical position, our cost is 30% lower than the European Carriers, he added. “Our strategy is basing on cost cutting while growing and producing.”