A representative of Turkish Airlines says the carrier wants to be the cheese ship of Armenia Diaspora in California.
As reported by Turkish daily Hurriyet, Hamdi Topcu, chairman of the board of the airline met with representatives of the Armenian community in Los Angeles as Turkish Airlines opened its Istanbul-LA flight late last week.
“The majority of Armenians residing in the U.S. have come here from Armenia and want to see their Motherland,” Topcu said (though in fact the majority of Diaspora are not from present day Armenia), adding that his airline is trying to establish an Istanbul-LA time table that would correspond with (Armavia) flights from Yerevan to Istanbul.
“An Armenian who will fly by THY will have to use the Istanbul airport and stay in the city for a day. In this case his attitude towards Turkey and Turks will absolutely change,” Topcu said.
He also said, according to the paper, that LA Armenians are “in need” of cheese from Armenia and that his airline wants to be the community’s importer.
(The report did not point out that late last year the Armenian community of LA staged a social network protest, led by celebutant Kim Kardashian, against LA Laker basketball superstar Kobe Bryant because the hoopgod signed a promotional deal with Turkish Airlines.)
Topcu also said the airline wants to open offices in Yerevan — a claim that came as news to Armenia’s Civil Aviation department.
via Let Them Eat Cheese: Turkish Airlines ready to deliver for California Diaspora – Business | ArmeniaNow.com.