How has the year 2024 been so far for Turkish Airlines? What kind of growth have you seen and from which markets?
India is one of the most important markets in the Asian region. Our India flight network includes New Delhi, to which we first flew in 1987, and Mumbai, to which we have been flying since 2006.
Turkiye has seen a remarkable surge in tourism from India this year. In the first six months of 2024, the number of Indian visitors reached 1,64,373 representing a 33.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Several regions and cities in Turkiye have seen a notable increase in Indian tourists. Istanbul, renowned for its historical landmarks, vibrant culture, and unique gastronomic experiences, remains a top destination.
As Turkiye’s flag carrier, we increased our capacity in terms of available seat kilometres compared to that of 2023. As of June 2024, Turkish Airlines carried 40.6 million passengers, achieving an increase of 4.8% compared to same period in 2023.
Additionally, during the period of January – June 2024, international to international passenger carried increased by 7.8% to 15.2 million from 14.1 million. Our available seat kilometres increased from 110.8 billion to 122.1 billion during the same period, reflecting a 10.2% growth. Furthermore, our cargo and mail services saw a significant increase of 32.3%, from 747.9 thousand tons to 989.4 thousand tons during the period of January – June 2024.
All these numbers reflect our commitment to providing efficient, reliable, and high-quality air travel services to our passengers worldwide. We are grateful to the passengers for their continued trust and support.
How important is the India Market for Turkish Airlines? Are you planning to expand to newer destinations in India or look at increasing frequencies?
We understand that India’s aviation sector is growing, and airlines are expanding their routes to meet the demand for international travel. A huge population and a big country like India deserve more air transportation. As per an Air Travel Trends report by India Brand Equity Foundation, the Indian aviation sector has been experiencing great growth over the past decade, and thus, now sits as the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market. Furthermore, India is projected to be the fourth-largest global spender by 2030.
In line with this, Turkish Airlines is working closely with the Indian government to potentially increase the number of flights between Turkiye and India. Currently, we operate 14 weekly flights, but we’re aiming to offer more options for travellers.
Noteworthy collaborations such as our codeshare partnership with IndiGo Airlines is a testament to our commitment to expanding our services in the region. We’re evaluating the possibility of increasing flight frequencies in the near future. This initiative aligns with our goal to provide more comprehensive travel options for passengers in India and beyond.
Can you share some of the recent technological advancements that Turkish Airlines has implemented to enhance passenger experience?
Turkish Airlines is committed to enhancing the in-flight experience through the integration of the latest developments and innovative technologies. One of our most exciting upcoming advancements is the provision of free, unlimited, and uninterrupted Wi-Fi across our entire fleet. Starting from the end of 2025, we plan to equip both our existing and new aircraft with the most efficient in-flight connectivity technologies. This initiative aims to meet the digital consumption habits of our passengers, ensuring they remain connected throughout their journey at no additional cost.
With the growing emphasis on sustainability, how is Turkish Airlines working towards reducing its environmental impact?
Turkish Airlines is deeply committed to sustainability, exemplified by being awarded the “Most Sustainable Flag Carrier Airline” by World Finance for the third consecutive year. Our approach encompasses several key initiatives:
- Carbon Offset Platform (CO2mission): We offer passengers the opportunity to offset their carbon emissions, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): We incorporated SAF into our climate change mitigation plans in 2022 and expanded its use to new routes in 2023. This initiative is a critical component of our strategic goal to become a Carbon-Neutral Airline by 2050.
- Sustainable In-Flight Products and Waste Management: We have implemented sustainable in-flight products and robust waste management practices to reduce our environmental impact.
- Operational Optimization Projects: Since 2008, we have undertaken over 100 projects aimed at reducing our carbon footprint, achieving significant successes in fuel savings and greenhouse gas emissions reduction in 2023.
Our commitment to sustainability is recognized globally, and we continuously strive to lead the aviation industry by example, ensuring a sustainable travel experience for our passengers and setting ambitious goals for future environmental stewardship
Customer satisfaction is crucial in the aviation industry. How does Turkish Airlines ensure a superior customer experience?
Our load factor improved significantly in 2023, increasing by 1.9 points to 82.6%. This reflects our commitment to providing efficient, reliable, and high-quality air travel services. All these numbers symbolize our dedication to ensuring superior customer satisfaction through continuous improvements in our services and operational efficiency.
Turkish Airlines has been expanding its global network over the years. What are some of the new destinations or routes that passengers can look forward to in the near future?
Within the Turkish Airlines fleet, comprising 458 aircraft serving both passengers and cargo, we proudly connect travelers to 349 destinations worldwide, encompassing 296 international and 53 domestic locations across 130 countries. Our collaboration with Indigo Airlines in India further expands our reach, offering passengers new international routes to cities like Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, and several US cities via Istanbul. As the airline that flies to more international destinations than any other, we are planning to further extend our ever-expanding flight network to the four corners of the globe in the near future by adding new destinations in Asia, Australia, and U.S.
Is there any more information that you would like to share with us?
For Indian market, Turkish Airlines continues to enhance its collaboration with IndiGo, broadening coverage to encompass additional routes in India, such as Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Chennai via Delhi and Mumbai. This collaboration means we can reach more travelers and grow our business, while for IndiGo, it means expanding its network and offering more options to its passengers. We believe our collaboration will remain fruitful for both the airlines and travelers.
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