THAI Airways and Turkish Airlines Ink Pact for Enhanced Asia-Europe Connectivity
THAI Airways and Turkish Airlines have joined hands in a strategic joint venture (JV) deal, set to boost collaboration and bolster connectivity across the Asian and European sectors of their networks.
Under the preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed, THAI and Turkish Airlines are poised to capitalize on the considerable synergies arising from this strategic partnership. While the formalization of the JV agreement remains pending, both airlines have expressed strong commitment.
This significant step was unveiled after a meeting held in Istanbul, Turkey, on August 2, 2023. The conference saw the participation of top executive teams, including the respective Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), who delved into the specifics of the arrangement.
Aptly referred to as an “unrivaled choice of destinations in Europe and Asia” by the official announcement, this collaboration is set to not only enhance travel options for passengers of both airlines but also to jointly promote tourism for the combined population of 151 million in Thailand and Turkey.
The announcement also highlighted the strategic positioning of Istanbul Airport (IST), functioning as a pivotal hub bridging Asia, Europe, and Africa. Turkish Airlines’ wide-ranging connectivity from IST offers unprecedented access to global destinations.
In a further development, commencing from December 2023, THAI is all set to introduce a daily flight route between Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and IST. This strategic move solidifies the airline’s standing as the primary gateway carrier for Thailand, the Asia Pacific region, and Australia.
Turkish Airlines’ Chairman, Ahmet Bolat, earlier conveyed to Simple Flying the airline’s ambitions regarding Australian routes. However, he acknowledged legal hurdles, considering Turkey’s existing agreement with Australia for seven weekly flights. Bolat expressed aspirations for expanded frequencies to ensure a quality service to both Australian cities in the future.
The eagerly anticipated official announcement of Turkish Airlines’ Australian flights is expected to surface in mid-August 2023.
Highlighting the implications of this partnership, the CEO of Turkish Airlines underlined its potential to enrich connectivity, seamless travel experiences, and an expanded array of destinations and services across both carriers’ networks.
Chai Eamsiri, the CEO of THAI, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the convenience for customers traveling between Thailand and Turkey, along with onward journeys to Europe and various Asian points, capitalizing on the extensive networks of both THAI and Turkish Airlines.
Both carriers are integral members of the Star Alliance network.