BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Turkish Airlines, voted Europe’s best airline for the third consecutive year, continues its global expansion by opening a new gateway at Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston, Massachusetts. This moment builds on Turkish Airlines’ reputation as one of the fastest growing airlines, flying to now 249 destinations worldwide, in more countries than any other airline. The carrier now operates six gateways in the United States: New York; Los Angeles; Chicago; Houston; Washington, D.C.; and Boston.
For the first time ever, Bostonians will be able to board Turkish Airlines’ Airbus A330 and A340 aircrafts to experience for themselves the airline’s award-winning gourmet cuisine and amenities, as they make their journey to Istanbul and beyond in comfort and class. Boston service will start with five flights per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. After June 9th, 2014, flights from Boston to Istanbul will increase to daily frequency.
“We are thrilled to launch our newest U.S. gateway in a city as culturally rich and diverse as Boston,” says Ahmet Bolat, Chief Investment and Technology Officer at Turkish Airlines. “This new location fortifies Turkish Airlines’ positioning as a top global airline connecting people around the world through our magnificent hub, Istanbul.”
The launch event, which took place in Terminal E at Boston Logan International Airport, brought together a number of top executives, including Ahmet Bolat, Chief Investment and Technology Officer at Turkish Airlines; Nihat Zeybekci, Minister of Economy, Turkey; Thomas P. Glynn, CEO of the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), as well as top-tier media members, to commemorate Turkish Airlines’ inaugural flight arrival from Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport (IST). The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, speaker remarks from Turkish Airlines, Turkey and Boston Logan International Airport representatives, authentic Turkish cuisine and culminated with a traditional Turkish folk dance performance.
“I applaud Turkish Airlines’ commitment to enhancing links between Turkey and the U.S., by establishing a gateway in the world class city of Boston,” says Nihat Zeybekci, Minister of Economy, Turkey. “This connection will provide a strong bond between Bostonians and Turkish citizens, as İstanbul is one of the strongest transitional hubs in the world.”
Now that direct flights are available from Boston Logan to Istanbul, the chance to greatly increase economic and cultural opportunities will rise for both cities. Massport, which owns and operates Boston Logan Airport, plans to take full advantage of this valuable opportunity, and views it as a chance to enhance Boston’s position in today’s international marketplace.
”Direct international connections to Logan stimulate our economy and our community,” says Thomas P. Glynn, CEO of the Massachusetts Port Authority. “This provides our city with improved access to overseas markets and showcases Boston as a gateway to our region.”
Boston Logan International Airport is New England’s largest transportation center and generates $7 billion in economic activity every year. Massport estimates that more than $305 million in ticket sales were generated in 2012 by more than 450,000 passengers traveling between Boston and the top 50 international destinations, which are also accessible through Turkish Airlines’ main hub at Ataturk International Airport.
“Lasting growth in the 21st century global economy will come from our competitiveness in global markets,” said Governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick. “I am excited for the start of non-stop service to Istanbul, which will drive tourism, job growth and catalyze international investment. I thank Massport for its leadership and Turkish airlines for its partnership.”
"Boston has taken major steps to represent, lead, and serve in a global economy with regards to international business and tourism," said Mayor of Boston, Martin J. Walsh. "This is our vision of inclusion; one that is international. We’re embracing this direct connection to Istanbul, Turkey and look forward to seeing more visitors to our great city."
In the first quarter of 2014, Turkish Airlines carried 12 million passengers implying a 20.2 percent increase while passenger load factor came to 77.7 percent systemwide, compared with the same period last year. This progression is due in part to its position as the carrier that flies to more countries than any other airline.
Turkish Airlines’ growth in number of passengers coincides with Turkey enjoying a significant boost in tourism. Istanbul is rapidly becoming a connecting point for international passengers and is on track to become Europe’s third-busiest airport this year, asserting itself as a hub for worldwide travel. The country welcomed 34.9 million non-Turkish visitors in 2013, a 9.84 percent increase compared to the previous year, according to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
In fact, Istanbul was recently named the top worldwide destination in the annual TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice® Destination awards, as determined by travelers’ reviews on the website. TravelAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, weighed users’ ranking for hotels, attractions, and restaurants at the destinations over a 12-month period to determine the winners.
Widely acclaimed as the perfect definition of a European vacation, the city of Istanbul is overflowing with an incredibly rich culture and history that spans civilizations over 10,000 years, and at the same time, also offers pristine white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters.
Turkish Airlines was also voted Europe’s Best Airline at the 2013 Skytrax Passengers Choice Award for the third consecutive year.
Introductory fares from Boston to Istanbul start at $799. Tickets can now be purchased online here.
About Turkish Airlines:
Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines is a 4-star airline today with a fleet of 249 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 249 destinations worldwide with 206 international and 43 domestic. According to Skytrax survey of 2013, Turkish Airlines was chosen "Europe's Best Airline" for the third year in a row and "Best Airline in Southern Europe" for the fourth consecutive time. Having won in 2010 the world's "Best Economy Catering Service" award, Turkish Airlines was this year awarded the world's "Best Business Catering Service" prize in the Skytrax survey. More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on their website: www.turkishairlines.com.
About Boston Logan International Airport:
Boston Logan, 15 minutes from the intersection of Route 128 and I-90 and five minutes from downtown Boston, serves as the gateway to the New England region and offers nonstop service to 75 domestic and 33 international destinations and in 2012 handled 29.3 million passengers. Boston Logan is the Air Line Pilot Association’s Airport of the Year for 2008 because of its commitment to safety. Over the past decade, the airport spent $4.5 billion on a modernization program that includes new terminals, public transportation access, parking facilities, roadways and airport concessions, and has been transformed into a world-class 21st Century facility. The airport generates $7 billion in total economic impact each year.
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The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $8 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities. For more information please visit massport.com.