THY's Kotil: 'Nothing is too big' for growing airline
Tuesday October 2, 2007
Turkish Airlines CEO Temel Kotil told ATWOnline in Istanbul that THY's heavy investment in new routes and aircraft finally is paying off with figures he called "nice and amazing."
Revenue for the first semester rose 29% year-over-year to TRY2.2 billion ($1.81 billion), boosting the carrier's net profit to TRY125.4 million and its net margin to 9%, Kotil said. Load factor for the first nine months climbed 4 points to 73%.
"Last year was really a killer for us," he said, referring to the massive 25.3% capacity increase, the 19.4% lift in flights and 24 new destinations. But THY now is in harvest. The new markets are performing well and it is targeting 20 million passengers this year, up from 17 million in 2006. Investments in its product are paying dividends as yields have risen 10% thanks to an increase in premium passengers.
"We are increasing market share, and not only in Europe. We are very strong financially and that's why we can do what we want," Kotil said. "Nothing is too big, even the A380." THY is studying both Boeing and Airbus aircraft for its future widebody fleet but he declined to give details concerning the timing of an order announcement.
The airline already is planning to add a sixth and seventh A330 to go along with its seven A340s and is in the market for 3-4 more long-haul aircraft to cover short-term needs. Another eight 737-800s are scheduled to arrive next year, bringing the narrowbody fleet to approximately 100 aircraft split between Boeing and Airbus offerings. The total fleet numbered 103 last year compared to 65 four years prior.
Kotil said THY is targeting next spring for its Star Alliance membership (ATWOnline, June 8). "TK will become one of the biggest airlines in Europe very soon," he said. "Our growth will continue in 2008 and 2009."
(Atwonline)
Sono difatti sempre più insistenti i rumors che danno TK come prossimo cliente dell'A380 (la compagnia sarebbe interessata a 3 esemplari) assieme ad un maxi-ordine da 20 A350.
Turkish punta dunque a diventare una delle prime 5 compagnie europee entro il 2015, data in cui è previsto anche il raddoppio della flotta (e dei passeggeri), raggiungendo le 200 unità e le 150 destinazioni internazionali e domestiche da IST.
Tuesday October 2, 2007
Turkish Airlines CEO Temel Kotil told ATWOnline in Istanbul that THY's heavy investment in new routes and aircraft finally is paying off with figures he called "nice and amazing."
Revenue for the first semester rose 29% year-over-year to TRY2.2 billion ($1.81 billion), boosting the carrier's net profit to TRY125.4 million and its net margin to 9%, Kotil said. Load factor for the first nine months climbed 4 points to 73%.
"Last year was really a killer for us," he said, referring to the massive 25.3% capacity increase, the 19.4% lift in flights and 24 new destinations. But THY now is in harvest. The new markets are performing well and it is targeting 20 million passengers this year, up from 17 million in 2006. Investments in its product are paying dividends as yields have risen 10% thanks to an increase in premium passengers.
"We are increasing market share, and not only in Europe. We are very strong financially and that's why we can do what we want," Kotil said. "Nothing is too big, even the A380." THY is studying both Boeing and Airbus aircraft for its future widebody fleet but he declined to give details concerning the timing of an order announcement.
The airline already is planning to add a sixth and seventh A330 to go along with its seven A340s and is in the market for 3-4 more long-haul aircraft to cover short-term needs. Another eight 737-800s are scheduled to arrive next year, bringing the narrowbody fleet to approximately 100 aircraft split between Boeing and Airbus offerings. The total fleet numbered 103 last year compared to 65 four years prior.
Kotil said THY is targeting next spring for its Star Alliance membership (ATWOnline, June 8). "TK will become one of the biggest airlines in Europe very soon," he said. "Our growth will continue in 2008 and 2009."
(Atwonline)
Sono difatti sempre più insistenti i rumors che danno TK come prossimo cliente dell'A380 (la compagnia sarebbe interessata a 3 esemplari) assieme ad un maxi-ordine da 20 A350.
Turkish punta dunque a diventare una delle prime 5 compagnie europee entro il 2015, data in cui è previsto anche il raddoppio della flotta (e dei passeggeri), raggiungendo le 200 unità e le 150 destinazioni internazionali e domestiche da IST.
