KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Turkish Airlines, which flies four times a week to Kuala Lumpur now, will increase its frequency to daily flights effective May this year.
Its General Manager for Malaysia, Firat Yildirim, said deepening Malaysia-Turkey ties, greater tourism flow between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul and increased trade and business linkages have led to the need for increased frequency.
The four flights now would gradually be increased to six by April and daily flights by May onwards, he said.
As a result, Turkish Airlines, which has the largest network of flying to many countries than any other airline, is keen to strengthen its foothold in Malaysia, he told Bernama after meeting the senior officials of the Malaysian National News Agency.
“The contributing factor of our presence here is that we would like to bring in passengers to and fro due to the progressive economic ties between Turkey and Malaysia,” Yildirim said.
He cited how Khazanah Nasional Bhd has significant investments in Turkey in several areas including private healthcare sector which has contributed to flourished economic ties between both countries.
“For Visit Malaysia Year 2014, we are going to have more passengers, travellers, tourists and businessmen coming in on Turkish Airlines from Turkey through our vast network to support Kuala Lumpur’s tourism initiative,” Yildirim said.
Given the airline’s track record in Europe and North America as well as the Middle east and African continent, he said the airlines anticipates greater growth in passengers traffic and “is confident it can gain market share here.”
The airlines, which leverages on Istanbul as a strategic airport hub connecting travellers to their destinations, currently flies to 245 destinations in 105 countries around the world.
Yildirim said Malaysians could use Istanbul as a hub connecting to other countries in the world, especially Europe and North America.
“As part of its promotional initiative, the airlines plans to offer transit passengers with more than six hours to spare a tour of the highly sought-after city by tourists as it is regarded as the “melting pot” between Asia and Europe.
“We believe we can achieve further growth and we will let the product speak for itself,” Yildirim said.
Last year, Turkish Airlines flew in 10,000 passengers from Turkey to Malaysia and anticipates that the number will reach 20,000 passengers this year.
Globally, the airlines aims to carry 55 million passengers worldwide this year from 48 million in 2013.
On the outlook for the airlines industry, Yildirim said the carrier was currently rated the best in Europe.
It has been the best airline in Europe for three consecutive years and continues to be the best airline in southern Europe for the fifth year running by Skytrax World Airline Awards, he said.
Currently, Turkish Airline flies to 94 destinations in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent State (CIS) countries, 36 destinations in Africa, 33 in the Middle East, 31 in the Far East, six in North America and two in South America and eight in Russia.
On advertising and promotions, Turkish Airlines would rely on its current Kobe Bryant and Lionel Messi “Selfie Shootout” television advertisement, which has garnered 140 million viewers on YouTube, he said.
“We are also supporting some teams in Europe, for example Borussia Dortmund, and we would also organise large-scale golf tournaments at the end of this year to heighten the publicity for the airline,” he added.
Also present at the two-hour meeting were Bernama General Manager Datuk Yong Soo Heong, Deputy Editor-in-Chief in charge of Bernama Economic Service Amer Hamzah Md Sap and several other senior officials.
