Istanbul – City with Soul
Just eight hours away is a city that waits to be explored. Under a dramatic skyline of high-rise buildings and minarets, Istanbul takes you back in time even as it offers you a global contemporary experience. Riding the clouds on Turkish Airlines, you have direct access to a city that breathes poetry in every corner, every stone. The flight gives you a touch of the hospitality that awaits you. If you are flying business class, you will be embraced in comfort right from the spaciousness of the seats to the personal attention to your meals and the inflight entertainment. The flying chef has been introduced on the airline to offer passengers an incomparable on board meal experience. This is a result of a strategic alliance of Turkish Airlines with Do & Co, an Austrian Gourmet Entertainment Company that takes simple dining to a different level.
A city of approximately 18 million people, Istanbul is Turkey’s economic, cultural and historic centre. It is a transcontinental city in Eurasia, straddling the Bosphorus strait (which separates Europe and Asia) between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea.
Scenic roads, cobbled lanes, colourful shops and quirky stores, people talking, laughing, resting, the aroma of fresh Turkish coffee, spices and breads, street musicians… Istanbul is an idyllic getaway for all ages. Here is history waiting to tell you about its glorious past in the mosques, museums, palaces and lanes. A guided tour is a great way to gain insight into how the past meets the present. Explore the spice markets and the Grand Bazaar for your fill of shopping, sights, smells and sound. Towards sunset, sail on the Bosphorus for magnificient views and dine at any of the fish restaurants by the shore.
Istanbul takes you back in time even as it offers you a global contemporary experience
The 15th century set the map for present day Istanbul when Mehmet the Conqueror set his heart on restoring the city’s fortunes and place it on the highest pedestal. He invited skill, energy and creativity of people across the world to come and live and prosper. Today the lure of this beautiful city is stronger as travelers across the world touch its soil and its waters.
Istanbul is among the fastest growing metropolitan economies in the world and an insight into Turkish Airlines operations itself allows a glimpse of this success. The national flag carrier was established in 1933 and has grown phenomenally as a global brand with a fleet size of 339 with an operating profit of US$ 682 million in 2015. Recipient of several international industry awards, a large part of Turkish Airlines projected growth from a revenue of US$10.5 bn in 2015 to US$ 30 bn in 2023 rests also on the much anticipated third airport that is being built in Istanbul.
Phase one of this airport built on 76.5 sq kms with 6 runways and four terminals will see completion in February 2018 making it a candidate for the third biggest airport in the world. But on completion of all phases in 2021 it will be the biggest airport in the world with a capacity for 150 million passengers.
Turkish Airlines touches 116 countries and 289 international destinations in its network and is seeking wider entry into India and China in the current time.
Harun Baṣtϋrk, VP, Sales (Asia and Far East) indicates that the key to the airlines success is also its aggressive foray into new and emerging markets which are traditionally considered challenging. Turkish Airlines touches 116 countries and 289 international destinations in its network and is seeking wider entry into India and China in the current time. Working with clockwork precision are approximately 15,000 employees and Baṣtϋrk shares that the average efficiency per employee is 6 percent or 2000 passengers, working on high levels of competence with no compromise on output.
Turkish Airlines currently operates four flights a week to Kathmandu, post earthquake. He states that fuel prices here are higher than anywhere in the world and should oil prices be available within market value, there would be no hesitation in operating daily flights. The airline is also committed to build bridges between Turkey and the rest of the world wherein there is increased trade and cultural exchange.
With its strategic location and qualified workforce, Turkey is also focused on inviting global investors as a key economic agenda of the country. With attractive investment incentives, equal treatment to national and global investors guaranteed by law, and an average of 7.5 days to set up a company in Turkey, it is the hub for business innovation and growth.
