Friday 29 March 2024

Turkish Airlines adds Malta to its destinations

Photo above by Peter Mercieca

Turkish Airlines have commenced flights to Malta, its 226th destination in 100 countries. Round trip flights between Istanbul and Malta are operated three times per week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Flight TK1369 left Istanbul at 12.35 p.m. local time and arrived at Malta International Airport at 2.20 p.m. to be greeted by the traditional water arch. The aircraft, an Airbus A320 with 144 passengers on board, was welcomed by seven girls and musicians from the Malta Tourism Authority in traditional dress who presented a flower to each passenger before they proceeded to the arrivals lounge.

A high-level delegation of Turkish Airlines officials, led by Senior Vice-President, Sales and Marketing Sezgin Sağlam, was also greeted on the apron by Malta’s Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella, the Turkish Ambassador to Malta, Mrs Refika Nihal Çevik, MTA Chief Executive Officer Josef Formosa Gauci and Malta International Airport CEO Markus Klaushofer. They then took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony next to the aircraft’s steps.

They then proceeded to the Ministerial Lounge where they addressed the media, followed by the cutting of a celebration cake to mark the occasion.

Mr Sağlam said: “We want to connect Malta to the world and vice-versa thanks to our fleet of more than 200 aircraft.”

Mr Vella said: “This is a special occasion both for Malta and Turkish Airlines. This three-times weekly flight will create capacity of 25,000 seats a year, enabling tourism between Malta and Turkey to continue to grow. Malta could be Turkey’s undiscovered destination and through Turkey to the rest of the world.”

Mrs Çevik said: “Malta and Turkey share common Mediterranean values.” She augured Turkish Airlines success to help Malta, pointing to the opening of the Turkish Embassy in Malta as an important contributor to improving relations between the two countries. “I am confident that Turkish Airlines will enable Maltese and Turkish societies to get to know each other better.”

Mr Formosa Gauci said: “Today’s event is the culmination of a lot of work by the Ministry of Tourism, the airport authority, the MTA and ensures the right accessibility and visibility for Malta across Europe and the globe. We will also gain access to the 226 destinations that Turkish Airlines flies to.”

Mr Klaushofer welcomed this significant event, kicking off a very important operation by one of the leading airlines worldwide. He added that it was not an easy task for the Maltese airport, but thanks to the disposition of Turkish Airlines’ executives and the teamwork with the government and the Malta Tourism Authority, today we are finally witnessing a crucial development in the Airport’s network.

“Turkish Airlines is the fifth new airline commencing operations to and from Malta this Summer, making our Airport a top achiever in Europe as to the addition of new airlines. Turkish Airlines is also the latest new player in the legacy portion of our business mix – highlighting the need of achieving sustainable growth in all three areas and obtain a much-needed balance between legacy, low-cost and charter. We are also pleased to be here today, adding yet another piece to the puzzle enabling further connection to and from the MalteseIslands.”

Introductory round trip fares are available from Istanbul to Malta with Turkish Airlines starting from €99 (including taxes and fees).

 

Malta flight times** as planned from May 25:

Flight No. Days Departure Arrival
TK1369 Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday IST 12:35 MLA 14:20
TK1370 Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday MLA 15:15 IST 18:35

**All times are in LMT.

* Skytrax rating

 

Introductory round trip fares are available from Istanbul to Santiago De Compostela starting at 99 Euros (including taxes and fees).

To view the flight schedules, please visit www.thy.com, contact our call centre at +90 212 444 0849 or visit any TK sales office.

 

 

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