When Turkish Airlines commenced operations in Ireland on 7 April 2006, its first flight had approximately 150 passengers on board. Just two years later, the airline was operating a daily schedule out of Dublin.
“We are operating more than 190 destinations worldwide [148 international and 42 domestic],” says Murat Balandi, the new managing director of Turkish Airlines Ireland. “Some are on the same day because of our good connection times.”
For passengers, especially those heading to Africa, the Middle East and Asia who cannot reach their destinations the same day, the airline provides overnight hotel accommodation and meals in Istanbul, the airline’s main hub (though a transit visa may be required by some travellers).
But whatever the case may be, Balandi says “the best treatment awaits every single passenger” flying with Turkish Airlines.
“Turkish Airlines is still new, in comparison with other European carriers, but in general the airline is growing and expanding,” he says.
For those who are yet to fly with the airline, Balandi says it is important they have some “personal experience” to find out for themselves the quality of service and cost of fares which they can then compare with other competitors.
The airline hopes that the recent launch of its route to Dammam in Saudi Arabia, and its many new routes planned in 2012, will help push Turkish Airlines up one more place to the position of seventh biggest airline in the world in terms of size of flight network.
Balandi says he and his staff often meet with surprised reactions from passengers and businesses in Ireland when told of the airline’s growing network.
“They are really shocked because they are thinking that Turkish Airlines only flies to some destinations.”
But outside Ireland, says Balandi, Turkish Airlines is building a strong international reputation. This year the company won three top passengers’ choice awards at the 2011 Skytrax World Airline Awards in Paris, France last June – for Best Airline in Europe and southern Europe, and Best Premium Economy Seats. The airline says that such accolades highlight its growing influence in air travel across the world.
However, one frequent flyer on the airline’s Dublin to Lagos route says that despite being affordable, it needs to do a lot more if it is to retain its current passengers and attract new ones.
“They have to improve the baggage allowance they have for passengers,” says Emmanual Ukaegbu, who also notes that customer service at the Istanbul hug is currently “not something to write home about.”
Established in 1933 with just five planes, today Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 169 aircraft operating 21,200 daily flights to 1,185 airports in 185 countries around the world.
“We have a fleet age of 6.5 years compared to an industry average of 15 years,” says Balandi. "This means safety and more comfortable because the aircraft are new, and they are high-tech and modern because they are new.”
According to Balandi, Turkish Airlines prides itself as a company that supports sustainable development across their many destinations. The Star Alliance network member supports education projects in many countries.
The airline is also notable for its sponsorship of big sporting clubs such as FC Barcelona and Manchester United, as well as NBA basketball start Kobe Bryant, who adds some star appeal to the popular carrier.
