Based at Istanbul Airport, Turkish Airlines is the country's largest carrier. Turkish Airlines operates a network of domestic and regional services throughout Turkey and the Middle East and international services to Europe, Africa, North America, South America, and Asia. The carrier operates passenger services to over 270 destinations via Istanbul Airport as well as secondary hubs at Esenboga International Airport and Adnan Menderes International Airport.
Turkish Cargo is a freight division of the carrier, operating services to over 100 countries across its network.
The carrier transferred its hub operations from Ataturk Airport to the new Istanbul Airport under a phased program completed in mid-2019. Turkish Airlines is also a member of the Star Alliance.
Despite the travel restrictions of countries during the pandemic, the airline managed to increase its revenues in the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The carrier is aiming to increase the velocity of its growth with direct flights to and from more destinations for the summer season.
“Our tourism destinations are centers of attraction for the region with their unparalleled natural beauty and trusted tourism standards. Flight demands from all over the world are increasing even more as the summer season is approaching. As the flag carrier airline, we are aiming to bring foreign tourists with Turkey as their destination to the south of our country with direct flights and the comfort of Turkish Airlines. We will continue to proudly fly our flag while contributing to the economy of our country with our direct flights,” Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat said.
Turkish says the demand is higher than pre-pandemic and it is now preparing to operate a record number of tourism-focused flights during the summer of 2022 with the increased attention of foreign tourists for Turkey along with countries relaxing travel restrictions.
Operating 83 flights to 30 destinations during 2019 which was the most successful year before the pandemic, Turkish Airlines now prepares to operate 140 direct flights to 38 destinations during the same period of this year.
Starting its international flights in 2020, the carrier's budget subsidiary AnadoluJet will contribute to these flights as well.
Turkish Airlines aims to carry tourists to holiday destinations in the Mediterranean and Aegean with 248 weekly flights from 39 destinations abroad.
United Kingdom, Germany, Lebanon, Russia, and Israel are at the forefront of the high demand for summer travel from travel agencies and passengers. AnadoluJet will operate 72 frequencies to 8 destinations in Germany, 35 frequencies to 2 destinations in the UK, and 24 frequencies to 1 destination in Lebanon every week.
The airline will operate most of its direct tourism flights to the United Kingdom (46 frequencies) and Russia (22 frequencies).
Recent currency debasement against major currencies such as USD, Euro, and Pound makes the country an attractive tourism destination for budget travelers.
