Turkish Airlines builds bridges with Indonesia

Turkish Airlines is looking to increase its frequencies from Istanbul to Indonesia via Jakarta and Bali, as well as the possibility of a third city. Speaking to the media during a dinner in Jakarta last week, the airline’s chairman of the board and executive committee, Ahmet Bolad shared that around 150,000 travellers arrived in Istanbul last year. He said: “We currently have 14 flights – nine to Jakarta and five to Bali – per week and the seat load factor on both is (at) 90%. Looking at the potential here, Indonesia is underserved. We want to increase our Jakarta services to (twice) daily, increase the frequency to Bali, and if possible, (to) add a third destination.” Discussions with the Indonesia Ministry of Transportation for more co-operations are currently ongoing. Bolad explained that Istanbul is a beautiful city to visit, and is also a strategic hub to Turkish Airlines’ network of flights to over 300 destinations in more than 120 countries. Indonesia shares a similar history and culture with Turkey, based on its huge population of which a majority are Muslim.<br/>