Turkish Airlines Flights To/From Cuba And Other Countries Are An Airborne Embassy
/Istanbul, Turkey-based Turkish Airlines operates an Airbus-330 aircraft for its thirteen-hour-plus flights from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Jose Marti International Airport (HAV) in Havana, Republic of Cuba. LINK: https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/flights/flights-to-havana/
The opening of the new US$12 billion Istanbul Airport (IST) at 2:00 pm (14:00) on 6 April 2019, which replaces Istanbul Ataturk Airport, is for Turkey far more important as a political moment for domestic and international audiences than a moment to demonstrate competence in construction and commercial expectations.
The government of Turkey, which retains a controlling shareholding in Turkish Airlines, has successfully integrated the connectivity of its airline with the creation of and maintenance in political relationships.
Turkish Airlines has become an airborne diplomatic tool; a civilian version of an AWACS aircraft- constantly scanning for information and providing information.
Turkish Airlines (300 destinations) is an airborne embassy and Turkish Cargo (serving 123 countries) is an airborne chamber of commerce.
Turkish Airlines aircraft are a means by which to transport the flag, transport the image, transport the perspective, and provide transportation for political and commercial leadership in other countries to visit Turkey.
Turkey-based companies have commercial operations in the Republic of Cuba including those focused in airport operations and port operations:
http://www.tavhavalimanlari.com.tr/en-en/pages/announcements.aspx?aID=297
From Turkish Airlines:
“Turkish Airlines, opening more international gateways across the world for its passengers than any other airline, currently offers a wide range of flights to 304 destinations in 122 countries.
Turkish Airlines, who has been performing a rising performance in its passenger potential for more than ten years, carried 10.4 million passenger in 2003. This figure rose to 29.1 million, 32.6 million, 39 million and 48.3 million passengers in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. In 2014, an impressive period of growth saw this number rise to around 55 million. The number of passengers carried in 2015 was 61.2 million, and this increased to 62.8 million by the end of 2016. While the number of passengers carried by the flag carrier reached to 68.6 million in 2017, Turkish Airlines’ total Load Factor improved by 4.7 points up to 79.1%, while international Load Factor increased by 5 points, up to 78.4%, during January-December 2017 period. During January-April 2018, increase in demand and total number of passengers was 21% and 24%, respectively, over the same period of last year, and the total number of passengers reached to 23 million.”
A member of Star Alliance:
“The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Avianca Brasil, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 18,800 daily flights to 1,317 airports in 193 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partner, Juneyao Airlines.”
