Turkish Forum

Tag: Turkish Airlines

  • Letter to Turkish Airlines, USA

    Letter to Turkish Airlines, USA

    Mr. Emre Ismailoglu
    Turkish Airlines New York Main Office
    350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor
    New York, NY 10118
    November 22, 2024

     RE: Appeal for Zero-Fee Policy for Transporting Human Remains to Türkiye

    Dear Mr. Ismailoglu,

     I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to respectfully appeal to Turkish Airlines, one of the most esteemed airlines globally, to consider implementing a zero-fee policy for the transportation of human remains to Türkiye. Such a policy would significantly alleviate the emotional and financial burdens on grieving families, particularly those with limited resources, while reinforcing Turkish Airlines’ reputation as a compassionate and socially responsible organization.

     As highlighted by Imam Ahmet Dönmez, the current cost of nearly $2,250  for transporting human remains imposes a severe financial strain on families, especially those relying on modest incomes such as Social Security or government assistance programs like SNAP. These fees are often insurmountable for families already grappling with the devastating loss of a loved one. The Turkish-American community, through voices such as Amerikalı Türk and its editor, Deniz Çelik, has expressed a heartfelt plea for Turkish Airlines to address this pressing issue. This request is not merely logistical but deeply rooted in cultural and emotional values, calling for Turkish Airlines to exemplify the same social responsibility it has consistently demonstrated in other endeavors.

     Turkish Airlines is uniquely positioned to lead this initiative without significant financial strain. In 2023, the airline achieved extraordinary financial success, reporting a net profit exceeding $6 billion—more than double its 2022 profits—alongside revenues of $20.9 billion, reflecting a 13.6% year-on-year growth. 2023: For the first nine months, Turkish Airlines reported a net profit of $2.9 billion, surpassing its previous year’s performance for the same period.  

     By the third quarter of 2024, the airline maintained its remarkable trajectory, earning $1.3 billion in profits. These figures highlight the financial capacity to introduce a zero-fee policy for families in need, further elevating Turkish Airlines’ global standing.

     Pakistan International Airlines provides an excellent precedent by offering free transportation of human remains to grieving families. Such a policy demonstrates profound humanity and respect for families navigating immense loss. By adopting a similar measure, Turkish Airlines can alleviate hardship while enhancing its image as a compassionate and community-centered airline.

     A practical framework for such a policy could involve waiving fees for families with an annual income below $30,000 or those enrolled in government assistance programs like SNAP. This initiative would mirror the free funeral services offered by municipalities within Türkiye, reflecting the airline’s enduring role as a symbol of Turkish unity and care.

     It is worth noting that the Turkish community greatly values Turkish Airlines’ contributions to community events and sponsorships. These efforts have fostered deep admiration and loyalty among diaspora communities. However, implementing a zero-fee policy for the transportation of human remains would surpass all other initiatives, serving as a profound testament to the airline’s compassion and solidarity during families’ most difficult moments.

     As Imam Dönmez and others in our community have emphasized, Turkish Airlines is more than an airline; it is a bridge connecting the Turkish diaspora to their homeland. Adopting this policy would not only reflect respect for cultural values but also demonstrate a deep understanding of the emotional and financial challenges faced by families. Such a step would underscore the airline’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing humanity over profit, strengthening its bond with the global Turkish community.

    I join  Amerikalı Türk and its editor, Deniz Çelik and Imam Ahmet Dönmez kindly urge Turkish Airlines to consider this heartfelt appeal. By adopting a zero-fee or a deeper discount policy for the transportation of human remains, Turkish Airlines would exemplify leadership in corporate social responsibility, further endearing itself to the global Turkish community. We would also welcome a meeting with you to discuss other option.

     Thank you for your attention and consideration of this important matter.

    Respectfully,

    Ibrahim Kurtulus

    Community Activist

    646267488

  • 7 firms pledge $3.2 million for Istanbul Olympics bid

    7 firms pledge $3.2 million for Istanbul Olympics bid

    Ankara (Turkey), March 10 (IANS) Seven of Turkey’s leading conglomerates have pledged to contribute to the bid to bring the 2020 Summer Olympics to the Turkish city of Istanbul, with sponsorship deals worth $3.2 million.

    An earlier meeting in Berlin in January resulted in seven firms, including Turkish Airlines, Koc Holding, Ulker, Dogus Group, Digiturk, Sabanci Holding and Turkcell, pledging investments as high as $20 million to sponsor the games, reports Xinhua.

    Sports Minister Suat Kilic has announced the deals alongside representatives from the seven companies in Istanbul, saying, “Before our sponsors became involved in the process, we felt all alone. When they decided to provide their support, we realized we were one big family.”

    The minister said the seven firms will put up $3.2 million in sponsorships, an amount which he said represented “50 percent of the burden”.

    Istanbul is competing in the final three with Madrid and Tokyo for the right to host the 2020 Summer Olympics. This is the fifth bid Turkey has made in the last six selections. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will elect the host city in a vote in September in Buenos Aires.

    via 7 firms pledge $3.2 million for Istanbul Olympics bid.

  • Turkish Airlines Becomes First to Fly Commercial Flight to Tripoli

    Turkish Airlines Becomes First to Fly Commercial Flight to Tripoli

    A Turkish Airlines passenger plane landed in Tripoli Saturday noon to become the first international commercial flight to arrive in the Libyan capital since the establishment of a no-fly zone in war-torn Libya in March, a Libyan aviation official said.

    newsresizedetails.aspThe flight from Istanbul, with 43 passengers on board, arrived at the Maitiga International Airport in eastern Tripoli, at about 11:50 local time, he said.

    A crew member of the Boeing 737-800 who identified himself as Ahmed, said that Turkish flights to Libya had been suspended since February 28 as Libya gradually sank into domestic chaos,.

    He went on to say that after the resumption of the route,there will be flights between Istanbul and Tripoli every four days, adding that daily flights might be possible at the end of October.

    Turkish Airlines had already resumed flights from Istanbul to Benghazi, Libya’s second largest city, on September 13.

    In March, the UN Security Council passed a resolution imposing a “no-fly zone” over Libya aimed at protecting civilians from air assaults by the deposed former Libyan leader Muammar Al Qathafi, halting all international commercial flights from and to the Libyan capital.

    More airlines are expected to follow the Turkish Airlines’ example in the coming days and resume flights to Libya, but flights will return to normal when Tripoli International Airport is functioning again. Alitalia has already announced it would resume service on November 7, when the Tripoli airport is expected to be cleared.

    via Turkish Airlines Becomes First to Fly Commercial Flight to Tripoli.

  • Turkish Airlines’ first airplane to land in Erbil on April 14

    Turkish Airlines’ first airplane to land in Erbil on April 14

    The Kurdish Globe

    By Aiyob Mawloodi–Erbil

    With three flights per week, Turkey’s national carrier launches Istanbul-Erbil flights

    thyTurkey’s national carrier Turkish Airlines (Türk Hava Yolları) is finalizing preparations to begin flights to Erbil in mid April. The decision for the Turkish state airline to launch a route to the Kurdish Region of Iraq in mid April was disclosed in late March when Turkish Prime Minister Recep Teyyip Erdogan and President of the Region Massoud Barzani jointly opened the new Erbil International Airport.

    Erbil airport was opened mid 2005, but it was upgraded in 2010 to accommodate new technology. Its runway is said to be the longest in the Middle East and the fifth longest in the world, after airports in China, Russia, South Africa and the U.S.

    So far, only private airlines have operated the flights between Kurdistan and Turkey, “But we have decided to also include Turkish Airlines,” said Erdogan.

    “THY has finished all preparations to operate the first flight on April 14,” an airline official told Aknews. “The company has started selling tickets, and three flights per week will be operated to Erbil, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.”

    By April 14, the total flights between the Kurdish capital and Istanbul will be seven flights per week, as Atlas Jet, one of Turkey’s private airline companies, currently operates four flights per week.

    Turkish Airlines, established May 20, 1933 under Law 2186 in Ankara, under the name State Airlines Administration, part of the Ministry of Defense, operates scheduled flights to 134 international destinations, serving 175 airports in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

    Earlier, Abdul Hussein Abtan, a member of the Najaf Provincial Council, told a Kurdish news agency that the civil aviation authorities in Iraq and Turkey have given Turkish Airlines the go ahead for 36 flights a week between Istanbul and six Iraqi airports: Baghdad, Erbil, Najaf, Suleimaniya, Basra and Mosul.

    Currently, Atlas Jet’s four flights are between Atatürk Airport in Istanbul and Erbil International Airport. The increased number of flights between Turkey and Iraq is hoped to lower the cost of air travel.

    The 27,000-square-meter Erbil Airport was designed by a British company and construction was by a Turkish company. It can operate 150 flights per day.

    As the volume of trade and business relations between the Kurdish Region and Turkey are increasing at a rapid pace, and the diplomatic relations between the two areas is improving, especially with the official visit by Erdogan to Erbil in late March, the need for fast and reliable transportation between Kurdistan and Turkey is increasing every day. One of the most crowded flights to and from Erbil has been the Istanbul flight operated by Atlas Jet.

    Turkish Airlines’ introduction of new routes between the two cities will further facilitate business relations between Turkey and Kurdistan Region, as well as Iraq. It may also reduce crowding and lower prices.

    Starting with the passenger flights, Turkish Cargo, a brand of Turkish Airlines launched a cargo service to Erbil. The cargo service is operated through passenger flights, three times weekly. From May 11, Turkish Cargo will offer a cargo service to Basra, through passenger flights, four times weekly.

    By expanding its network with two more destinations in the Middle East and North Africa region, and introducing freight service to Iraq, Turkish Cargo is on the path to becoming a stronger actor in the region. Turkish Cargo intends to increase its cooperation with Turkish Airlines and the frequency of flights to increase its market share in Iraq as well as to connect the Iraqi market to the world market.

    The volume of trade between Turkey and Iraq has passed $7 billion a year and, according to Erdogan, the aim is to increase the number to $25 billion annually. This is why Turkey is keen to strengthen ties with Iraq and Kurdistan Region. The decision by the Turkish government to launch direct flights to six airports in the country, two of them in Kurdistan, as well as the opening of branches of three Turkish banks in Kurdistan, is a clear indication of that intention.

    Recently, the branches of three Turkish banks – T.C. Ziraat Bankasi (Agricultural Bank of the Turkish Republic), a state-owned bank; Türkiye Iş Bankasi; and Vakif Bank — opened in Erbil, mainly to facilitate the activities of the hundreds of Turkish companies doing business in the Region and the Kurdish traders who have business with Turkish firms and business people.

    via KurdishGlobe- Turkish Airlines’ first airplane to land in Erbil on April 14.

  • Nonstop from Washington: Istanbul

    Nonstop from Washington: Istanbul

    New nonstop service isn’t the only reason to visit this ancient city.

    The Mosque

    WHY NOW
    Turkish Airlines started nonstop service to Istanbul from Dulles in November, making it easier to visit one of the world’s most fascinating cities.

    First-time visitors may be surprised at the size and beauty of Istanbul, a city of 13 million built on hills with sea vistas on all sides. The world’s only major city to span two continents—Europe and Asia—Istanbul is divided by the Bosphorus Strait.

    Once known as Constantinople, the eastern capital of the Roman Empire, it became the center of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Today’s Istanbul blends the minarets and mosques, churches and palaces of the past with the energy of a modern metropolis.

    WHAT TO DO
    On the European side are the classic sights, such as the Old Town’s Sultanahmet Square and theBlue Mosque, named for the extraordinary blue tile work inside. The domes and six minaret spires, built from 1609 to 1616, are city symbols.

    Hagia Sophia is nearby. An icon of Christianity, the church is a feat of design and engineering from the sixth century; its nave is topped by a 184-foot-high dome.

    From there it’s a short walk to Topkapi Palace, built by Sultan Mehmet II from 1460 to 1478 and the home of Ottoman sultans for 400 years. Courtyards and pavilions offered lavish space for the sultans and their harems. Highlights include the throne room and the treasury, with its 86-carat Spoonmaker’s Diamond.

    Other sights include Suleymaniye Mosque, built in the 1550s for Suleiman the Magnificent, and the colorful stalls of the Spice Bazaar, dating from the early 17th century.

    Plan Tours’ City Sightseeing Tour is a hop-on, hop-off bus that offers an overview of the rest of Istanbul with English narration. From Sultanahmet Square, the open-top bus crosses fisherman-lined Galata Bridge and travels uphill to Taksim Square in the Beyoglu district, the heart of the new and fashionable. Take a walk down one of Europe’s busiest shopping streets, pedestrian-onlyIstiklal, lined with cafes and shops—from designer boutiques to an NBA shop and a fish market. You’ll see women in head scarves and others in miniskirts mingling peacefully. Ride the old-fashioned tram back up the hill to rejoin the bus and continue through old Jewish and Muslim neighborhoods and past ancient city walls.

    Marble-domed Cemberlitas Baths in the Old Town is a popular place to experience the steaming and massaging of a Turkish bath. A boat ride on the Bosphorus offers a memorable view of the city skyline. TurYol boats offer 90-minute cruises from the Eminonu pier near the Old City side of the Galata Bridge.
    DON’T MISS
    The Grand Bazaar—one of the world’s oldest shopping malls, operating since the 1400s—is a labyrinth of thousands of shops and stalls in the Old City selling everything from tourist souvenirs to fine jewelry, ceramics, and carpets. Be alert for pickpockets, and be prepared to bargain.
    WHERE TO EAT
    Seafood is king in seaside Istanbul, and meals often begin with mezze, small Turkish dishes. In the Old Town, Balikci Sabahattin is an upscale place to sample both seafood and mezze.

    The setting and Turkish/French cuisine also are excellent at Sarnic, a converted vaulted Byzantine cistern.

    For a more modest tab, try the kebabs and other specialties at Buhara 93, and for a special lunch, visit pretty Pandeli upstairs over the Spice Bazaar.

    Want to splurge? Seasons at the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet is the place for continental fare as well as local specialities.
    WHERE TO STAY
    Hotels near Sultanahmet Square are convenient for sightseeing. Nine restored 19th-century houses make up the atmospheric 64-room Turing Ayasofya Konaklari (rooms from $104). Ottoman Hotel Imperial offers comfortable rooms in a restored 1800s school (from $138 with breakfast).

    The modern Hotel Golden Horn Sultanahmet has many online specials (from $125 with breakfast). For celebrity followers, the city’s best-known hotel, Pera Palace in Beyoglu, is fresh off a renovation (from $368).

    This article first appeared in the December 2010 issue of The Washingtonian.

    Washingtonian

  • Turkish Airlines and Asiana Airlines form code share agreement

    Turkish Airlines and Asiana Airlines form code share agreement

    Published by Ozgur Tore   
    Tuesday, 06 October 2009
    Turkish Airlines has signed a new code share agreement with Asiana Airlines from South Korea as part of an expansion program. The new code share agreement which will go into effect on October 25th, 2009 will enhance the flow of trade and tourism between Turkey and Korea.

     As an outcome of the new code share agreement signed between Turkish Airlines and Asiana Airlines, passengers from Seoul will be able to connect on Turkish Airlines’ network to any of its 119 international destinations including routes to Turkey, Europe, North America, South America, Russia, Central Asia and the Middle East.

    Passengers from Istanbul will also be able to enjoy the convenience of Asiana Airlines’ wide network of connections to South Korea, and other popular destinations in Japan, China and South-East Asia. Asiana Airlines’ network covers 82 international destinations.

    A1

     

    FTNNEWS