ROUTES EUROPE: THY Continues Dramatic Network Growth

Turkish Airlines (THY) is continuing its rapid network growth across international markets as it attempts to position itself as one of Europe's leading network carriers. Over the past couple of years the carrier has placed numerous new orders for short- and long-haul airliners, as these are now being incorporated into its fleet it is expanding into new markets and boosting frequencies to existing destinations.

This summer a further three weekly flights will be introduced on the Bangkok – Ho Chi Minh sector, increasing frequencies to a daily schedule. This is a continuation of the airline’s Istanbul to Bangkok route, which is operated eleven times weekly.

Alongside the new routes, frequency increases will be witnessed on a lot more services from its Istanbul hub. On its route to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, a fourth weekly flight will be introduced from May 31. To Beirut frequencies will increase from 14 to 19 from May 15, growing to 20 from June 27 and 21 from August 1, while Sofia will see eleven flights per week from May 30, up from seven currently and Bucharest will see a third daily rotation from June 15.

Away from Istanbul, THY will also add more international flights from other Turkish cities. From July 1 to October 2, a twice weekly seasonal link between Izmir and Munich will be operated, supplementing its existing schedules from the city to Frankfurt.

Looking further ahead, THY has started to make changes to its long-haul network for winter 2011/2012, which all take effect from the end of October this year. Its flights to Johannesburg and on to Cape Town will be increased from five times weekly to a daily schedule, while New York JFK will see eleven flights per week rather than just seven, with the additional frequencies being operated by an Airbus 330-300. The type will also be introduced to Mumbai replacing a smaller A330-200 on the route. Elsewhere, Incheon will receive an additional weekly rotation increasing THY’s schedule to a daily basis.