Turkish Airlines Opens Manila

Direct Flights Starts Winter 2011

July 25, 2011

Turkish Airlines enters code share deal with Philippine Airlines to offer flights from Manila to İstanbul via Hong Kong as it waits for aircraft delivery from Boeing After failing to secure Fifth Freedom Rights from Bangkok, Turkey’s national flag carrier, Turkish Airlines (THY), has decided to fly to the Philippine capital direct beginning winter of 2011. The airline opened a representative office in Manila recently. It plans to commence 3 times a week service to Istanbul. Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 169 aircraft and flies to 180 destinations worldwide. “We have already started working to launch direct flights to Manila. We will place many newspaper ads here soon,” THY’s general manager in the Pacific region, Salih Keçe, said at the inauguration of its Manila office Saturday. Initially, Turkish Airlines would ferry its passengers from Manila to Istanbul via Hongkong as it waits for Boeing aircraft delivery at the end of the year. THY currently fly to Hong Kong daily except Monday. "We will be cooperating with Philippine Airlines to offer flights from Manila to İstanbul via Hong Kong" Keçe, said . Accordingly, THY's passengers to Manila need to transfer and take a Philippine Airlines plane to Hong Kong and then a direct THY flight to İstanbul. They can buy tickets for both flights at THY’s office in the Philippine capital. Turkish Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (TCCP) President İrfan Karabulut said that there are 35,000 passengers who travel between the two countries each year. Turkish Airlines flight to Manila should contribute to the economic ties between Turkey and the Philippines. The best airline in Europe for 2011 World Airline Awards given by Skytrak which is known as the Oscars of the aviation industry, flies to a total of 142 destinations directly, said Temel Kotil, The airline's CEO. “THY has already placed orders for 10 planes to fly to African countries and is readying to start direct flights to Manila, the capital of the Philippines soon. We are just waiting for the planes to arrive” he said. The airline which also won the Skytrak World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seat and Best Airline Southern Europe awards is a member of the Star Alliance group.