Turkish Airlines Chooses Bangkok As Regional Hub

‘‘While we are hopeful we can strike a deal with Thai later this year,we do have alternatives to support our growth in this region,’’ said Adnan Aykac,the general manager for Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

The carrier will extend its nonstop fights from Istanbul to Bangkok through to Ho Chi Minh City in October, while Kuala Lumpur and Manila are also on the radar screen for fight extension.They will increase Istanbul-Bangkok fights from daily to twice daily later this year if their plans to extend fights to Australia-New Zealand partnering with Thai materialise.



Turkish Airlines will switch its passengers to Thai-operated fights to Australia under the plan.The airline sees Australia as a lucrative market not completely covered and wants to exploit Thai's extensive Australian routes, before entering the region itself.

Turkish Airlines transfers over 30,000  passengers a year to Thai's Australian network, and Turkish Airlines has had a sales offce in Australia for 15 years.The carrier wishes to work with Thai on Australian operations although the Australian government signed its frst air services agreement with Turkey recently enabling direct fights.



Turkish Airlines achieved a 5% increase in volume through Bangkok in 2009, raising its load factor by 6% from 2008 to an average of 80%.The airline plans to raise numbers as it strengthens brand awareness in Thailand. It has budgeted 30 million baht for advertising and promotion this year.

The airline will spend US$70 million for advertising globally this year,an increase of 50% more than 2009.