Everyone likes to fixate on the 3 big Gulf carriers - Emirates, Etihad and Qatar. The discussions on FI on others about US or Euro carriers vs. Gulf carriers is getting repetitive. Meanwhile, it seems like people are forgetting about another big carrier that is also growing very fast in the region that has the potential to establish one of the best networks in the industry - Turkish Airlines.
Facts:
- Turkish currently operates 240-250 airframes from 737NGs/A320s to A330s & 777s and aims to operate 500 aircraft by 2020
- Turkish currently serves 190 destinations in 103 countries and it aims to increase those destinations to 250+ in the next few years (if you wanted to you could fly one stop from Los Angeles to Mogadishu, Somalia on Turkish)
- Because of its location close to Europe Turkish can fly cheaper shorthaul aircraft into Europe (i.e., 737-800/900s or A320s) and then connect with longerhaul aircraft for the longer haul Asian or African flights
- Istanbul is planning on upgrading its current, crowded airport with a huge 6-runway airport (over various phases) enabling 24 hour operations for both passengers and cargo
IF Turkey can get its act together and actually build the new airport, Turkish could have a serious competitive advantage with significant capacity for growth and passenger/cargo connections. From a geographic perspective, Istanbul could be in a better location for these connections than Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Doha. Turkish continues to grow into North America and South America and it has ordered more 777s and A330s recently - but it stays out of the lime light that Emirates, Etihad and Qatar are basking in. Sure, Turkish is a member of a global alliance, but how many of these passengers could fly UAL or DAL from the US to India/ME/Africa but are flying Turkish instead?
Having just visited Istanbul on a flight recently, I can tell you the Turks are motivated and optimistic. Who knows if it will come to fruition on time, but the growth of the airports in the ME is being watched very closely by the Turks and they don't want to give up their logistics ambitions. People need to keep their eyes on Turkish Airlines too - not just the fast-growing Gulf carriers.
Interesting related articles:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/12/business/looking-for-an-emerging-market-airline-routes/index.html?hpt=hp_c3
http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/turkish-airlines-turns-its-attention-to-latin-america-with-four-new-destinations-in-201314-114426
http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/turkish-airlines-plans-further-north-american-expansion-with-houston-and-potentially-miami-77202
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul_New_Airport
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/istanbul-s-new-airport-has-advantage-over-gulf--516666.html#.UoPMuPIo5Ms
http://www.newsinenglish.no/2013/08/27/turkish-airlines-plans-expansion/
Facts:
- Turkish currently operates 240-250 airframes from 737NGs/A320s to A330s & 777s and aims to operate 500 aircraft by 2020
- Turkish currently serves 190 destinations in 103 countries and it aims to increase those destinations to 250+ in the next few years (if you wanted to you could fly one stop from Los Angeles to Mogadishu, Somalia on Turkish)
- Because of its location close to Europe Turkish can fly cheaper shorthaul aircraft into Europe (i.e., 737-800/900s or A320s) and then connect with longerhaul aircraft for the longer haul Asian or African flights
- Istanbul is planning on upgrading its current, crowded airport with a huge 6-runway airport (over various phases) enabling 24 hour operations for both passengers and cargo
IF Turkey can get its act together and actually build the new airport, Turkish could have a serious competitive advantage with significant capacity for growth and passenger/cargo connections. From a geographic perspective, Istanbul could be in a better location for these connections than Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Doha. Turkish continues to grow into North America and South America and it has ordered more 777s and A330s recently - but it stays out of the lime light that Emirates, Etihad and Qatar are basking in. Sure, Turkish is a member of a global alliance, but how many of these passengers could fly UAL or DAL from the US to India/ME/Africa but are flying Turkish instead?
Having just visited Istanbul on a flight recently, I can tell you the Turks are motivated and optimistic. Who knows if it will come to fruition on time, but the growth of the airports in the ME is being watched very closely by the Turks and they don't want to give up their logistics ambitions. People need to keep their eyes on Turkish Airlines too - not just the fast-growing Gulf carriers.
Interesting related articles:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/12/business/looking-for-an-emerging-market-airline-routes/index.html?hpt=hp_c3
http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/turkish-airlines-turns-its-attention-to-latin-america-with-four-new-destinations-in-201314-114426
http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/turkish-airlines-plans-further-north-american-expansion-with-houston-and-potentially-miami-77202
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul_New_Airport
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/istanbul-s-new-airport-has-advantage-over-gulf--516666.html#.UoPMuPIo5Ms
http://www.newsinenglish.no/2013/08/27/turkish-airlines-plans-expansion/
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