Initially, the four times weekly service from Istanbul to Dhaka_ on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday_ will be operated via Karachi. The airline recognises the potential of Bang-ladesh market as such Dhaka is likely to get separate service as early as possible. Airbus A330s and A340s with two class configuration will operate on the route.
Dhaka will be the Turkish Airline's 12th new destination this year. The airline is also scheduled to start flight to Ho Chi Minh City via Bangkok from December 29, 2010 with four times weekly service.
The establishment of direct air link between two brotherly Muslim countries is expected to usher in a new era of bilateral relationship and will help enhance contacts between the two peoples. Trade and cooperation between the two countries are likely to get boost.
Bangladesh and Turkey signed bilateral agreement to establish air services between the two countries in 1992. On basis of that agreement a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between civil aviation authorities of Bangladesh and Turkey following a meeting, held in Turkish capital Ankara on November 24.
A gateway between east and west, Istanbul offers visitors an unrivalled glimpse into world history, the chance to experience one of Eurasia's most cosmopolitan destinations and serves as a convenient hub for travel to other cities in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Turkish Airlines is going to provide new options and attractive alternatives to Bangladeshi travellers of various categories. The airline will also facilitate travel of Turkish people to Bangladesh for business or other purposes.
Passengers aboard Turkish Airlines will enjoy the world-renowned catering by Turkish Do & Co, featuring an assortment of international cuisines as well as authentic Turkish dishes. A pioneer in the aviation industry, Turkish Air-lines recently won the Sky-Trax World Avi-ation Award, also known as the "Oscar of the Aviation Industry," for the "World's Best Economy Class Onboard Catering."
Aboard the Airbus A330, both Business Class and Economy Class passengers can expect to enjoy a culinary experience from top cuisines around the world and an extensive in-flight entertainment menu complete with individual entertainment systems.
Lone European airline
With the inauguration of operation, Turkish Airlines, the third largest airline in Europe by passenger numbers, will be the lone European carrier operating to Bangladesh. There was no service of European carrier in the market following withdrawal of British Airways.
Founded in 1933, the 77-year-old THY-Turkish Air-lines, Inc. is owned 51 per cent by public shareholders and the rest 49 per cent by the Turkish government. With a fleet of 147 aircraft aged 6.2 on average, the airline operates scheduled services to 128 international and 39 domestic cities, in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The fleet will start expanding rapidly as the airline starts receiving the 90 aircraft, which are on order. The wide body fleet will grow from 20 now to 40 by next summer.
The airline is headquartered in the Turkish Airlines General Management Building on the grounds of Atatürk Airport in Ye?ilköy, Istanbul. In 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, THY carried 17 million, 19.7 million, 22.5 million, and 25.1 million passengers with total revenues of US $2.23, US $3.0, US $4.5, and US $4 billion, respectively.
THY has been selected by Skytrax as providing the best economy class food services in the world and as Europe's Fastest Growing Airline. According to 2010 data, Turkish Airlines is Europe's 3rd largest and Southern Europe's largest airline.
THY, a member of the Star Alliance network since April 1, 2008 has more than 15,000 employees.
New Class
To serve the passengers better, Turkish Airlines opens doors for new privileges in the sky. A new class will be added on along with the Economy Class, Business Class and First Class. The new class will be placed between the Economy Class and Business Class and named as the Comfort Class. The purpose is to combine the convenience of Business Class with the reasonable purchasing rates of Economy Class.
Turkish Airlines will begin to offer the "Comfort Class" on trunk routes to Beijing, Shanghai, Narita, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo and Toronto on its the new B777 aircraft upon their arrival. Depending on delivery time of the new B777s to join the fleet the Comfort Class will be offered on the flights to New York, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles as well.
The Comfort Class seats as the most important privileges that Comfort Class will provide for the passengers have been designed for this category while the knee space and sitting space are kept at its maximum range. The seat pitch of 116 cm and seat width of 49 cm are the leading features of the Comfort Class.
Having their own individual display screens with the 10.6" in-arm screens embedded on each seats the passengers will be able watch as many films, serials, documentaries and cartoons as they wish while they can access the entire visual archives instantly. Passengers who want to rest their legs will have the apparatus of leg rest stowed beneath the seas.
Many passengers wish to access their own individual digital archives during the flights. This detail was not skipped on these newly designed seats as well. The passengers will be able to access their files by simply using their personal USB devices or iPODs.
Hikmet's account
In an informal meeting with The Bangladesh Monitor in November, Hikmet Mesut Turkseven who has been here since April, discussed various aspects of his airline's services. He said that the airline has significant presence in North and South America in addition to extensive presence in Europe. It is now looking for expansion with focus on Asia and Africa. By the end of this year (2010) the airline will be flying to 20 destinations in Asia. Kuala Lumpur and Sydney are likely to be added to the network next year. The objective of the expansion plan is to serve the world using Istanbul as hub.
Hikmet said that airlines are like bridges and expect trade relations and cultural exchanges between Bangladesh and Turkey to grow further with the introduction of the flights. We hope there will be good business traffic as the night flights from Dhaka will connect European cities within two to three hours, he said.
We will be offering a new alternative to Bangladesh market. We're a good option too for travellers as we have been awarded the Best Airline of South Europe and the Third Largest Airline in Europe at Skytrax 2010 Awards for remarkable performance, said Hikmet.
The flights are expected to take off from Dhaka at 10-50 pm reaching Istanbul at 6-30 am for a busy workday in Turkey or Europe. From Istanbul the flights will take off at 12-30 midnight reaching Dhaka at about 2 pm. Hikmet Turkseven said, There will be about eight hours' ground time in Dhaka. Otherwise we can't provide excellent connection. There will be pilot and cabin crew layover in Dhaka.
Transit passengers from Bangladesh with valid Shengen, UK and US visas will receive visa on arrival in Istanbul and will be able to go around the city with TourIstanbul's complimentary city tours.
He said, Turkish Airlines is very active in sports sponsorship. Following sponsorship agreements signed with FC Barcelona and Manchester United football clubs, two of the most recognised brands in the world, award-winning Turkish Airlines has also become one of the official sponsors of the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
Growth plan
Turkish Airlines has planned to operate 10,000 weekly flights by 2015, nearly double the 5,500 currently being flown.
The airline carried 25 million passengers last year and expected this to reach 31 million this year. A further increase of 20 per cent is forecast for 2011.
Turkish Airlines currently flies non-stop direct flights from New York and Chicago. The airline has launched direct flights to Washington DC on November 7 this year.
The US expansion will continue with the launch of its fourth gateway and direct route to Los Angeles' LAX Airport from Ataturk Airport in Istanbul in March 2011.
Current focus of the airline is to increase frequencies on long-haul routes such as Istanbul Ataturk-New York JFK, which will become double daily next year.
The airline is considering Detroit, Mexico City, Boston, Miami, Montreal, Houston and Buenos Aires. Other possibilities include Ulan Bator, Kuala Lumpur, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Wellington and Sydney. In the case of Sydney, this route launch could be next year or 2012.THY also see opportunities in Africa such as Oran, Kinshasa and Zanzibar.
Profit
During first nine months of 2010 net profit and operating profit of Turkish Airlines stood at US$169 million and US$538 million respectively.
Revenue Passenger Kilometer (RPK) increased by 22.7 per cent and Available Seat Kilometer (ASK) increased by 17 per cent. The number of passengers increased by 18 per cent to 22 million, cargo and mail carried increased by 41 per cent to 228 thousand. As a result, passenger load factor increased by 3.4 points from the previous year to 74.2 per cent.
A member of the Star Alliance network since April 1, 2008, Turkish Airlines continues to maintain its dedication to becoming a global leader in the airline industry. The 77 year old airline is known for its impeccable service, flight safety and connectivity worldwide.
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