Turkish Airlines (THY), a major international airline renowned for its vast network and stellar customer service, marked its 91st birthday on Monday, carrying on its tradition of serving up to 350 locations across the globe.
With just five planes and 24 employees, including seven pilots, when it set out on its maiden voyage on May 20, 1933, Turkey’s flag carrier eventually developed into a significant force on the international arena, traveling to several locations on several continents.
In the year, following its establishment, the fleet increased by one, carrying 64 passengers. It made its first international flight from Istanbul to Athens in 1947, displaying the national flag with pride. In 1951, the fleet grew to 33 aircraft and new international destinations were added, such as Lefkoşa (Nicosia), Beirut, and Cairo.
Turkish Airlines became a member of the international airline trade group, International Air Transport group (IATA), in 1956. In 1958, the airline transitioned from piston-powered engines to jet engines, beginning in a new chapter in Turkish aviation history, by adding five Viscount 794 aircraft to its fleet. Mesut Manioğlu created the Turkish Airlines corporate emblem in 1959, drawing inspiration from the wild goose, which is capable of making transcontinental flights at elevations of 9,000 meters and beyond. In 40 years, the flag carrier’s workforce grew from just 30 to over 4,000 workers.
Turkish Airlines was transporting 2.5 million people annually between the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia by the time it celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1983. In the beginning of 2000, Turkish Airlines launched Turkish Cargo, a new brand for cargo transportation.
Turkish Airlines began operating domestic flights in 2005 out of Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Anatolian side of Istanbul. In 2007, Turkish Airlines received four stars from international airline rating company Skytrax, and a year later, flights were launched under the Sabiha Gökçen Airport sub-brand, AnadoluJet.
Turkish Airlines joined the international airline alliance Star Alliance in 2008, and the airline launched its well-liked Miles&Smiles programme in 2000, offering special benefits, right before the turn of the
millennium.
Turkish Airlines has a vast network of destinations
Turkish Airlines was named the finest airline in Europe by Skytrax in 2011. Turkish Airlines reached 200 destinations in less than a year, making it the airline with the most international flights. Skytrax honored the flag carrier airline’s achievements by naming it the “Best Airline in Europe” and the “Best Business Class Catering.”
Turkish Airlines became the fourth most extensive airline in the world in 2014 with 264 destinations. By 2015, Turkish Airlines had carried 500 million passengers, and Skytrax had voted the flag carrier Europe’s Best Airline for five years running. In addition, the airline was crowned Europe’s Best Airline in 2016 and 2017.
By 2018, Turkish Airlines has flown 750 million passengers. When the flag carrier moved to Istanbul Airport, which opened in late 2018, it also updated the uniforms used by its employees. With 350 aircraft, Turkish Airlines ranked as the tenth largest airline in the world in 2019.
It was the first time an airline had ever won the APEX World Class Award, given to Turkey’s flag carrier in 2021. In April 2023, the firm carried its billionth passenger and received the APEX 5-Star Global Airline accolade.
Compared to just 65 aircraft in 2002, Turkish Airlines’ fleet grew to 100 in 2006, 200 in 2012, 300 in 2016, and 456 in 2024. The airline plans to keep growing its fleet in the next years as a result of a significant order it received from Airbus late last year that involves more than 200 aircraft.
Source: DailySabah
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