Turkish Airlines, the national carrier and the best airline of Europe for the fifth consecutive years, continues to expand in Saudi Arabia as well by adding new routes, as part of its global and regional growth strategies. The National Carrier is globally planning to grow its capacity by 21% in 2016, building upon its spectacular growth of the last decade. To support this growth, the airline will expand its fleet from 299 aircraft at the end of 2015 to 339 by the end of 2016. Being No. 1 airline, flying to more countries and international destinations than any other airline in the world, Turkish Airlines carried approximately 61.2 million passengers in 2015 and aiming to carry 72.4 million passengers in 2016. Currently, Turkish Airlines is operating in 7 destinations in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah, Dammam, Yanbu, Taif and Al Qassim. The airline recently launched SAW (Sabiha Gokcen Airport, in Anatolian side of Istanbul) flights by 7 weekly flights from Jeddah, Riyadh and 4 weekly flights from Medina as of 27 March. Turkish Airlines Jeddah General Manager Muhammed Bilal Doner stated that "New destinations are in the offing and the airline will very soon start operating direct flights to Trabzon (TZX) and Ankara (ESB) from Jeddah (JED), Riyadh(RUH) and Madinah (MED)." "Turkish Airlines started its operations in Jeddah for the first time in KSA, 37 years ago by 1979. Since, we have succeeded to inaugurate 6 more destinations and caught tremendous growth over the years, distinguished by the services and products offered to our customers. All these developments are indicating the importance we attribute to the Saudi Arabian market and our Saudi brothers and sisters. We are seeking to inaugurate other destinations in the Kingdom," he said. Doner has also referred to the construction of new airport in Istanbul, which will increase the annual passenger capacity to 150-million, is expected to become one of the biggest in the world and the biggest air transfer hub in Europe as well. In order to respond the growth and capacity increase, the airline ordered new aircrafts by recently signing landmark deals with both Boeing and Airbus for remarkable purchases. The airline is also supporting art, culture and sports and different activities in various fields globally. As the latest endeavors the airline has signed a global sponsorship deal with UEFA EURO 2016, to become "The first airline partner" in 55-year history of the European Football Championship and announced its partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures on the highly anticipated action adventure film, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Europe's leading airline is currently operating in more than 280 destinations and 113 countries flying to more countries than any other airlines. Jeddah General Manager Muhammed Bilal Doner added: "Turkish Airlines will continue to grow with the support of its partners and passengers globally without making concession in quality level and providing them the best experience both on air and ground." Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines is a 4-star airline today with a fleet of 304 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 284 destinations worldwide with 235 international and 49 domestic. According to Skytrax survey of 2015. Turkish Airlines was chosen "Europe's Best Airline" for the fifth and "Best Airline in Southern Europe" for the seventh consecutive time. Having won in 2010 the world's "Best Economy Catering Service", in 2013 the world's "Best Business Catering Service", and in 2014 "Best Business Catering Service" awards, Turkish Airlines was awarded in 2015 the world's "Best Business Class Lounge Dining" and "Best Business Airline Lounge" prizes in the Skytrax survey. [caption id="attachment_50537" align="alignright" width="300"] Blue-mosque[/caption]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 traveler. 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, 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 Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Thai and United. The integration of Avianca Brazil is currently in progress. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 18,500 daily flights to 1,321 airports in 193 countries.
