ISTANBUL – Turkish Airlines is further strengthening its focus on the Saudi market, one of the airline's largest growing markets in the world, with a 41 percent increase in passenger traffic in the last two years, Dr. Temel Kotil, President and CEO of Turkish Airlines, said. During a meeting with a number of regional media representatives at Turkish Airlines headquarters in Istanbul, Kotil said “Saudi Arabia is the largest market for Turkish Airlines in the Middle East, with increased passenger demand spearheading new frequencies and destinations as part of planned regional expansion.” “As Turkey's national carrier, we are thrilled at the rising popularity of Turkey as a tourism destination, the diverse all-year round offering of beautiful natural scenery, historical marvels, stunning coastlines and exhilarating adventures, all less than 5 hours away from most countries in the Gulf region. The county boasts a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences and attraction for GCC tourists is highlighted by cultural linkages with the Middle East,” he noted. He announced that Turkish Airlines will expand operation in Saudi Arabia this year, with the launch of its Abha route soon. Speaking proudly about the phenomenal growth of his company, Kotil said “this success comes because we really love our passengers and we have to do our best to satisfy all their needs and make them forget that they are flying in the air.” He added that his company excels by offering top of the line service, but also benefits from its geographical position. “We are in the center,” he explained, which makes it easy to connect growing markets in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East with established areas like Europe.” Asked how the carrier plans to continue that pace of growth, Kotil said “our target is to have the strongest network in the world, with more destinations than anybody else. I still hope to carry 50 million passengers this year, but with my 100 million passengers by 2020, we'll be very profitable.” To continue this growth, he noted that they will be adding destinations and buying planes. “We already reached more than 230 airports in 103 countries and more to come,” he added. Along with more destinations come more airplanes. Today, the carrier has 228 aircraft. “Still not enough,” Kotil said. He also announced that plans are underway to construct a new $9.3 billion airport near the Black Sea coast in central Istanbul, which will have the capacity to handle 150 million passengers when completed. “The new airport will have no problem making lots of profits for us and it will significantly benefit the aviation sector and is in line with our strategy to develop Turkish Airlines as the best in the world by 2023,” he said. In regard to any challenges ahead, he confidently said “we are well equipped and if we follow our strategy, we will meet any challenges that face any other airlines such as fuel-price rise or any other issues.” Speaking of tourism in Turkey, he pointed out in his presentation that over 800,2000 tourists visited Istanbul in the first three months of the year.
“Turkey enjoys a great demand from millions of international tourists and continues to be one of the most preferred spots in the world because of its central location to all continents.” On the protests which started in Turkey on May 28, 2013 to initially contest the urban development plan for Istanbul's Taksim Gezi Park, Kotil said it had no affect at all and the airlines' operation was running smoothly. “However, many of the reservations were postponed to another time,” he added. Kotil started his career with Turkish Airlines in 2003, as the deputy general manager in Turkish Technic, Inc. He became the CEO of Turkish Airlines in 2005. He has served on the Board of Governors of IATA since 2006 and on the Board of Directors of AEA since 2010. “ As the CEO of Turkish Airlines, I love my business, I love my team and I love my passengers,” he declared.
