This week saw Turkish Airlines celebrating its 89th anniversary. What was once an airline with just five aircrafts Turkish Airlines has since transformed into one of biggest carriers flying to most of the world’s countries with a fleet of 372 aircrafts.
The company was founded back in 1933 as a department of the Defense Ministry under the name “State Airlines Administration.” The company only had 24 employees which consisted of seven pilots, one radio operator, eight civil servants and eight machinists. Today the total of employees is almost 60,000 with 27,000 of those working directly for the main brand.
Turkish Airlines now stands as the carrier with the ninth largest aircraft fleet operating as one of the youngest and most modern fleets around the world. Its flight network has greatly expanded over the years and now covers 336 airports, 331 cities and 128 countries, inlcuding 53 airports and 51 cities in Turkey.
Not only is it an airline flying to international destinations and to most countries, but it is also an airline offering the most links between countries all around the world.
Back in 1983 on its 50th anniversary Turkish Airlines flew to three continents with a fleet of 30 aircrafts with a capacity of over 4,000 and ended the year carrying a total of 2.5 million passengers. The 2000s saw rapid growth in fleet and the flight network and were on their way to reach a milestone of 80 million passengers, but due to the hit of the COVID 19 pandemic they ended 2020 with 28 million passengers.
Compared to other airlines Turkish Airlines managed to remain in good shape during the pandemic and managed to fly 44.8 million passengers throughout 2021.
The chairperson of the board of directors Ahmet Bolat spoke of the airlines 89th anniversary and was emphasizing on the airlines high quality service and that the carrier was eager to continue improving. Bolat went onto speak with Anadolu Agency saying that with each new destination that the airline launches will contribute to both tourism and the economy of the country.
Source: Daily Sabah
