Turkish Airlines sets up new independent office in Abu Dhabi

Turkish Airlines, the national carrier of Turkey and Europe’s best airline*, opened its new independent office in Abu Dhabi, led by increasing demand from the UAE capital, with nearly 4 per cent growth in passenger traffic reported in 2014.

This further builds on the momentum that Turkish Airlines is recording across its Middle East network, as well as other global destinations.

The new sales office, located on the 4th Floor of Abu Dhabi Trade Center, Abu Dhabi Mall, East Tower, was officially opened in the presence of His Excellency Mustafa Levent Bilgen, Ambassador of Turkey to the UAE and other diplomats, key travel partners, members of Turkish Airlines Corporate Club, and senior representatives of the airline, who provided an overview of the airline’s recent growth and planned expansion.

Mehmet Akalin , General Manager for Turkish Airlines in Abu Dhabi said: “The increase in passenger numbers from Abu Dhabi is testament to the growth in demand from travellers to Turkey from Abu Dhabi. We have witnessed a significant increase in travel from the Emirate because passengers are very keen to use Istanbul’s strategic position between East and West, to transit to onward destinations in Europe and the Americas.”

(L-R): Emrah Karaca, Sales Manager, Turkish Ailines, Dusan Horniak, Ambassador of the Slovak Republıc in the UAE, Mustafa Levent Bilgen, Ambassador of Turkey in the UAE, Mohamed Salehi, General Manager of Salem Travel, Mehmet Akalın, General Manager of Turkish Airlines, Abu Dhabi, Bilal Arpacı, General Manager of Varna Travels

He continued: ”The new office consolidates all functions of Turkish Airlines in Abu Dhabi including general management, sales, marketing, finance and administration, and customer service.”

A highlight of the 400 sqm office is that it has a special Majlis area where customer service representatives can host Abu Dhabi based customers in privacy to cater to their travel needs. This is the first such initiative by Turkish Airlines in the region.

Abu Dhabi is increasingly becoming an important destination for Turkish Airlines, which now operates four weekly flights from the Emirate with the Airbus 330 aircraft, connecting travellers to 274 cities globally, across 110 countries. This is the largest country network for any airline globally.

Total passengers carried from the Abu Dhabi market in 2014 increased by 3.9 percent compared to 2013. Business and Comfort Class passengers increased by 13.1 percent for the same period, while international-to-international transfer passengers increased by 17.4 percent. Turkish Cargo in the UAE capital also increased by 10.8 percent.

From January to March 2015 Turkish Airlines passenger traffic in the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait increased by 6.44 percent and revenue per passenger kilometre (RPK) increased by 6.7 per cent.

For the fourth year in a row, the airline has won the Best Airline in Europe from the Skytrax World Airline Awards.

* Skytrax Passenger Preferences Ranking.

About Turkish Airlines

Established in 1933 with a fleet of only five airplanes, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines is today a four-star airline with a fleet of 276 aircraft (passenger and cargo) flying to 274 cities around the world. One of the fastest growing airlines, it has received several “Passenger Choice Awards” from Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX). In 2014, Turkish Airlines, for the fourth consecutive year, was named “Best Airline in Europe” by Skytrax. Having won in 2010 the world’s “Best Economy Catering Service” and in 2013 the world’s “Best Business Catering Service” awards, Turkish Airlines was this year awarded the world’s “Best Business Catering Service” and “Best Business Class Lounge Dining” prizes in the Skytrax survey.

Turkish Airlines flies to more countries in the world than any other airline (110 countries over five continents). The global airline won the SkyTrax Award, known as the “Passengers Choice Awards,” for the “Best Airline in Southern Europe” consistently in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. In 2012, Skytrax named Turkish Airlines “Best Premium Economy Seats in the world” for its Comfort Class seats.

Turkish Airlines Quality

In order to keep alive its brand equity, which provides a serious advantage in terms of competition, Turkish Airlines invests in its quality of service, in-flight entertainment systems, comfortable seats, gourmet cuisine and its employees. Turkish Airlines is always on the forefront of the latest technological advances and innovations in the aviation industry and boasts one of the youngest fleets. As the airline expands its routes and number of aircraft, continuous training of its employees is of the utmost importance in insuring the safety of its passengers.

Turkish Airlines regards flight safety and service quality as two of the most indispensable necessities. Turkish Airlines currently holds a four-star ranking and consistently strives to secure a five-star ranking.

Turkish Airlines is aware of its responsibility of being a pioneer within its region, and is determined to carry out its mission on moving forward. Being a prominent global airline, Turkish Airlines is proud to be the most preferred carrier especially for its unparalleled service, superior quality, the most extended flight network of the world by the number of countries and international destinations to be served, trustworthiness and reliability.

In addition to Europe, Turkish Airlines is also strategically expanding its network into Russia, Central Asia, Far East Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Americas as well. As one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, Turkish Airlines holds a strategic position between the East and West.