ATO President Baran evaluated the issue of direct flights from Ankara – Latest News

ATO Chairman Gürsel Baran, in his speech to the members of the Assembly at the April Ordinary Assembly Meeting of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce, made evaluations regarding the issue of direct flights from the Capital to abroad. Stating that they have been working to increase direct flights from the capital to abroad since the day they came to power at Ankara Chamber of Commerce, Baran said that they brought the issue to the relevant authorities and with the support of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, progress was made on this issue before the pandemic. Pointing out the importance of direct flights abroad for the development of the capital, Baran said, “No matter what field Ankara develops in, especially trade, exports and tourism, the issue always comes down to direct flights abroad. As you well know, this issue has been at the top of our agenda since the day we took office. We had gained momentum in direct flights from our city to abroad until 2020, but the pandemic that started during this period reversed all developments. It was said that the headquarters of AnadoluJet, a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, would be located in Ankara, but this was later abandoned. Then the name of AnadoluJet was changed and a new brand called AJet was created. At this point, while there are flights to 120 countries and 280 destinations from Istanbul Airport, to 51 countries and 154 destinations from Sabiha Gökçen Airport, only 25 countries and 41 destinations can be flown from Esenboğa. While the number of weekly international flights from Istanbul Airport is 4 thousand, only 160 flights are operated from Esenboğa Airport. “On the other hand, as a result of the new regulation, AJet Passengers cannot benefit from CIP services or receive in-flight catering,” he said.

THY request for direct flights

Baran stated that direct flights from Ankara can only be made with AJet, and that those who want to travel with Turkish Airlines can travel with a connection in Istanbul, and said: “On the lines with high demand from Ankara, direct flights should also be carried out with Turkish Airlines. “Those who want to travel should be given options,” he said.

“We conveyed our request for direct flights to 16 destinations to Bolat”

ATO President Gürsel Baran, ATO Vice President Temel Aktay and Board Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. He said that together with Ömer Çağlar Yılmaz, they visited Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, Ahmet Bolat, and delivered a detailed file they had prepared on the subject. Baran said, “We conveyed our requests to Mr. Bolat regarding the introduction of direct flights to 16 destinations, including Brussels, Rome, Barcelona, ​​Zurich, Ashgabat and Sarajevo, which have connecting flights from Ankara for reasons such as trade and investment relations. “As Ankara Chamber of Commerce, we will continue to fulfill our responsibilities as the business world for the development and progress of Ankara and our country, as we have done so far,” he said.