Houston to Gain New Direct Flights on Turkish Airlines in 2013 to Istanbul

Houston Mayor Annise Parker announces new non-stop flights to Istanbul beginning April 1, 2013, operated by Turkish Airlines between George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport (IST).

“Houston’s strong business connections with Turkey created the opportunity to attract this foreign flag airline to our city,” said Mayor Parker. “Houston has become the gateway to the world. Our global business structure helps our economy thrive and our job market remains the envy of the nation.  These four new weekly flights will surely lead to increased economic opportunity for both Istanbul and Houston.”

Turkish Airlines will operate the new route with a Boeing 777-300ER, which seats up to 334 passengers. Based at Ataturk International Airport, Turkish Airlines serves 190 destinations and carries 33 million passengers as the national flag carrier airline of Turkey.

A number of Houston community organizations worked with the Houston Airport System to attract this new direct air service by Turkish Airlines, including the Texas Turkish American Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Houston Partnership and the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau. The addition of this new direct flight will provide a meaningful economic boost to the Greater Houston region. Turkey remains a fast growing and emerging business and leisure economy with a strong cultural link to Houston.

“The total Houston to Turkey trade value in 2010 was $1.9 billion,” said Celil Yaka, President of Texas Turkish American Chamber of Commerce. “We anticipate this trade will grow significantly thanks to this new flight.”

“The Houston Airport System exists to connect people, businesses, cultures and economies of the world to Houston,” said Mario Diaz, Director of the Houston Airport System. “This flight will open up more convenient travel options to both Turkey and beyond points, in particular, those in South/Central Asia and Africa.”

Flight Schedule:

The new service will operate four days per week with flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

-          Departure from Houston at 7:50 p.m. local time and arrival in Istanbul at 3:55 p.m. local time.
-          Departure from Istanbul at 1:05 p.m. local time and arrival in Houston at 6:05 p.m. local time.

The seating capacity of a B777-300 ER is 28 Business – 53 Comfort – 253 Economy

The flights are currently available in the Turkish Airlines reservation system at http://www.turkishairlines.com/

Recently Turkish Airlines was selected by Air Transport World as the recipient of the “world’s market leadership award.” Turkish Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, which is the dominant airline network at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston as the largest hub for the Star Alliance.

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