ROME-Turkish Airlines Roma Director Yurdagul Altinoz tells Italian Insider how the airline has grown, the importance of the Italian market and the many discounts available to Italian companies. Turkish Airlines will serve as many as 267 destinations around the world by the end of this year, Ms Altinoz disclosed in an exclusive interview in the Eternal City. , she

 Italian Insider: How many destinations do Turkish Airlines currently serve?      

 Yurdagul Altinoz: We fly to 244 destinations in 105 countries around the world. We currently offer 116 weekly flights to and from Istanbul thus making it easier for Italians to reach Turkey, and also the rest of the world.

 I.I: Can you tell us some information about recent passenger numbers relating to flights operating from Italy?

 Y.A: In 2013 we carried 48,000,000 passengers worldwide and out of these 1.300.000 were transported to and from Italy in 2013. Over 300,000 of these passengers were from the Rome market.

 I.I: Has travel from Rome to Turkey and vice-versa increased?

 Y.A: Yes there has been a significant increase to our Italian destinations; the number of passengers we transported to and from Italy in 2013 has increased 35 percent from 2012.

 I.I: And you offer certain discounts for Italian companies who fly with Turkish Airlines?

 Y.A: Turkish Airlines offers many advantages that will suit the needs of Italian companies and enable more effective corporate travel, planning and cost management via the Turkish Corporate Club (TCC). TCC members benefit from exclusive corporate discounts on business, comfort and economy classes.

 Club Members also don’t have to worry about penalties for rebooking and rerouting. Another plus of being TCC member is that corporate travellers will enjoy exclusive baggage allowance (+10kg baggage allowance for each cabin). Club card holders will have the privilege of checking-in at the Business Class check-in counters and enjoy the comforts of the Business Class lounges in the membership country.

 I.I: How important is the Italian market to Turkish Airlines?

 Y.A: For Turkish Airlines in Europe the Italian Market has the second largest number of passenger transportations after Germany. The Italian market therefore is very important and profitable -  nearly 3 percent of total passengers come from the Italy Market and almost 4 percent of total revenue is generated from the Italy Market.

 I.I: You have been working for Turkish Airlines for 24 years, how have you seen the airline change/evolve?

 Y.A: I have followed the developments within Turkey’s aviation sector internally for last ten years and have witnessed our airline grow considerably. For example we are continually adding new destinations –- our most recent addition in Italy will be Catania in May 2014. We have also won a number of travel awards.

 I.I: Can you tell us a bit about the travel awards ...

 Y.A: According to Skytrax World Airline Awards, Turkish Airlines was named the best airline in Europe for the third year running by customers at the 2013 World Airline Awards. Turkish Airlines has also been named by Skytrax as the best airline in Southern Europe with the best premium economy class airline seats for its comfort class.

 I.I: What is next for Turkish Airlines in 2014 in terms of expansion and new destinations? 

 Y.A: Turkish Airlines continues to expand in order to become the preferred leading European air carrier with a global network of coverage thanks to its strict compliance with flight safety, reliability, product line, service quality and competitiveness, whilst maintaining its identity as the flag carrier of the Republic of Turkey.

  In 2014, Turkish Airlines is planning to initiate new flights to Luxor, Asmara, Oran, Tlemcen, Batna, Constantine and Luanda in Africa, Catania, Nantes  and Rotterdam in Europe, Stavropol and Astrakhan in Russia,  Boston and San Francisco in the United States, Havana and Caracas in South America and Manila in the Philippines.

 We are hoping to be serving a total of 267 destinations by the end of 2014.

 I.I: And finally what is your favourite travel destination?!

 Y.A: Recently I was in the Puglia region last year for business and I visited a few cities there with my colleagues. But since then my favourite region is the South of Italy.

 Short History of Turkish Airlines:

 Turkish Airlines was established on 20th of May 1933 with 5 aircraft.

 First international flight was to Athens in 1947.

 Turkish Airlines started a direct flight to Rome in 1959, this was the 4th flight service after Athens, Cairo and Beirut.

 Rome Sales Office was established as the 2nd office abroad after Athens.

 Until 2006, Roma-Istanbul flights and vice-versa only operated 7 flights per week.

 Currently Roma-Istanbul v.v. flights are operated as 25 flights per week.