Turkish Airlines continues to soar high, recording new record annual revenues in the first quarter of this year, with a net profit of 214 million euros, after achieving 184 million euros last year.
Turkish Airlines continues to soar high, recording new record annual revenues in the first quarter of this year, with a net profit of 214 million euros, after achieving 184 million euros last year.
In September 2022, the company won the title of best airline in Europe at the Skytrax World Awards. In this regard, the Chairman of its Board of Directors, Ahmed Polat, says: “This success was built by time.”
Polat says, “Twenty years ago, Turkish Airlines had 65 aircraft, during that period it transported 10 million, with revenues reaching 1.8 billion euros. Now we have recorded more than 18 billion euros, and our planes carried about 72 million passengers, with 395 aircraft.” “We now have 414 aircraft,” adds the CEO, speaking to us at a launch event for the airline’s new hospitality menu, which it hopes will position it as the first airline out of Istanbul to receive a Michelin star.
And about the food that the company offers on board its planes during flights, Polat says: “The level of food served to us is the first in the world, and the secrets are many. At the beginning, 80% of the products we offer are fresh products grown in Turkey. Also, our chefs are trained “To a very high standard, we have chefs on board so they can put the finishing touches on our dishes. The food is local and prepared on a daily basis. That’s the secret.”
Polat says, commenting on the global challenges facing aviation. The problems of supply chain, engines and shortage of pilots we pay great attention to, Turkish Airlines has invested in its own pilot training facility. We can train up to 200 pilots a year. We will increase the number to 2,000 pilots per year. This entire industry needs pilots. Therefore, Turkey can be one of the countries that can provide pilots in the world.”
In conclusion, Ahmet Polat, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Turkish Airlines, says: “Going forward, the company will invest in the Middle East markets, in addition to focusing on tourism from the United States, China, Korea and Japan.” He added, “The summer tourism season for the first three months is very good, especially as we focus on American tourists. We want to bring two million tourists to Istanbul. Last year, one million tourists came. China closed last year as well, but with the end of the closure, we want to focus on this as well.”
