Ambassador Demirok with local dignitaries and officials opening the new sales office.
Turkish Airlines opened its new office in Doha yesterday as part of a strategy to meet increasing customer demand with a 55% growth in passenger traffic reported from the city in the first nine months of this year, compared to same period in 2012.
The national airline of Turkey now has 10 weekly flights from Doha, connecting travellers from the city to 239 destinations across 104 countries.
This year the airline celebrates its 80th anniversary.
The global carrier also recorded an overall 24.1% increase in passenger numbers in the first nine months of this year.
The airline’s record growth sustained across Qatar and the Middle East is in line with the growing number of tourists travelling from Qatar to Turkey, with an increase of 32.1% in the first nine months of this year, recorded by tourism officials.
The new sales office, located in Crown Plaza Building E, was officially opened in the presence of Turkey’s Ambassador to Qatar Ahmet Demirok.
The event was attended by Turkish Airlines’ key travel partners and the airline’s senior representatives who provided an overview of growth, the destination network and planned expansion.
Turkish Airlines general manager (Qatar) Mehmed Kursad Caymaz said: “The increase in passenger numbers from Qatar is testament to the growth in demand from both business and leisure travellers to Turkey. Our new office will deliver enhanced service to our customers and travel partners in Qatar, who have been integral to our growth from the country over the last seven years.”
Turkish Airlines Middle East & Cyprus vice-president (marketing & sales) Murat Bas said: “The Middle East is one of our fastest growing markets, underpinned by the buoyant economies in thriving cities like Doha.”
“With our award-winning inflight service and competitive pricing to Turkey and beyond destinations we are confident of sustaining this upward growth,” he added.
A major contributor to growth in traffic from Doha and the wider Middle East is the growing appeal of Turkey as a holiday destination.
The airline has launched a number of travel campaigns this year, specifically for Qataris, to take advantage of promotional fares to cities such as Istanbul, famed for its cultural blend of Eastern and Western influences.
To highlight the airline’s America network, and new destinations such as Houston, travellers from Qatar can take advantage of round-trip fares to six cities in North America over the winter season, with up to 30% off flights for passengers traveling from Doha via Istanbul to Washington, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto.
