Turkish Airlines Makes A Comeback

Anindita Chattopadhyay New Delhi

Turkish Airlines has returned to India after a gap of 11 years when its inaugural flight carrying a delegation of 200 people from the industry and government, touched the Delhi airport on September 18. The airline withdrew its services to India in 1991 as a downsizing measure because the Gulf War and subsequent strike in the organisation hit the carrier badly. Apart from closing routes, austerity measures like reducing rental cost and staff, sub-contracting businesses such as catering services were undertaken. However, with a profit of US$ 65 million in 2002 under its belt, the airline is once again on an expansion mode.

"We always looked at re-establishing airlinks with India but were cautious in restructuring our routes. Development in the Indian economy, liberalisation and plans of the Indian and Turkish government to increase bilateral trade to US$ 1billion from US$400 million have encouraged us to start flights again," said Hamdi Topchu, member of the board of the airline, commenting on their return.

The airline, supported by a modern fleet with an average of 5.4 years, will serve the Istanbul-Delhi sector thrice a week with flights leaving Istanbul on Monday, Thursday and Saturday and return flights from Delhi on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. The India sector, pointed out Topchu, will be temporarily served by A310s with two configurations (18 business and 192 economy class) as the airline plans to phase out A310s. "We are planning to phase out RJ 100s and A310s. Currently, we're studying proposals from manufacturers to see what suits our route plan and frequency demand. Before March, we will announce acquisition and soon deploy the new aircraft in India route in place of A310s," added Topchu.

The airline will target primarily business and leisure traffic to Turkey. Topchu is confident that the carrier will pick up 70 per cent load factor within a short time. His confidence stems from the fact that Turkey is determined to improve tourism and trade relations between the two countries. "Sixty companies will be attending the trade fair in Delhi in November to accelerate trade relations and our tourism ministry will launch a campaign in India around the same time. We are not looking at transit traffic. Within two years we hope to operate daily flights out of Delhi."

Ashok Fenn, president and CEO, Interglobe Air Transport, the GSA of the airline in India believes the load factor is achievable. "We have launched in high season, which starts from November and have a good promotional fare. So, it won't be a very difficult task in building up load factor." Fenn further added, "Our strategy will be to market destination Turkey. We will go for advertisement and promotions, hold roadshows in Mumbai and Delhi in October, but our main focus will be on partnering with the trade." No doubt Turkish Airlines will provide the much needed air bridge between India and Turkey, but whether it pulls out again remains to be seen.