Osman Battal has been the Director of UK & Ireland operations for Turkish Airlines for over five years now. After a considerable e-mail tag regarding topics to discuss in the interview (no personal or opinion questions, Turkish Airlines being a state office) and promising that I will strictly stick to Turkish Airlines business, I finally meet him in the Turkish Airlines office in Pall Mall. He is accompanied by Handan Corekci, the Deputy Director.

  Can you briefly explain what sort of activities the UK offices of Turkish Airlines are involved in?

In the general sense, we are involved in reservations, sales, marketing, accounting and also the coordination of UK activities with the Head Office in Turkey.

  In summer 2005, Turkish Airlines started flights to Istanbul and Antalya from Stansted Airport. How has the response been? Have you been able to get the interest you had expected?

We have cancelled the Antalya flights from Stansted because we were not able to get the efficiency we had expected. We are not considering rescheduling them for now but of course, we might reconsider doing so in the future. For the time being, it is more efficient for us to concentrate on Istanbul-Stansted flights which are going quite well. In summer and winter holidays especially, we concentrate on Istanbul flights. The summer of 2005 the frequency was 3 times a week. The following summer we will see it increase to 4 times a week.

  What was the main reason for Turkish Airlines to start flights from Stansted?

OB. The main reason was to enlarge our market. It is not possible for Turkish Airlines to expand at Heathrow because we can not get slots. The airport capacity is almost full already. We had to make a new expansion, which would only be possible at a new airport. We decided to go with the airport in the north and thus started our flights from Stansted.

In the broader picture, we started at a second airport because we needed a second hub--not only for 3-4 flights a week as it is now, but a proper hub in the next few years. As the cultural and economic activity between Turkey and UK increases, so do the number of passengers. This expansion will allow us to be able to cater for that volume.

  What are the prices like compared to your competitors? Sometimes the prices of British Airways seem to be lower.

Our single main competitor is British Airways and we match their prices. However, our planes tend to fill up more quickly than theirs, and the more economical seats go fast. If their prices seem lower, that means they have the less expensive seats available while we only have the more expensive ones left. We advise that passengers purchase their tickets in advance if they can for better prices.

  Some travel websites such as Expedia, Opodo and the like give the customers the option to book flight+hotel+car hire package deals. Do Turkish Airlines have any plans to allow their flights be booked as part of such package deals?

No, for the time being we are not considering being part of such package deals.

  What are the short term projects for Turkish Airlines, both in general and for the UK operations?

Actually, in the general picture, Turkish Airlines has been undergoing an expansion process for the last 2-2.5 years. There are plans to expand in the Far East, particularly in Bangkok and Hong Kong. Similarly there are plans to expand in the India market. This year new airplanes like Airbus 330, 738, 320, 321s are being acquired, the contracts for which were signed 2.5 years ago. In accordance with the acquisition of these new airplanes, Turkish Airlines will start flying to 24-25 new destinations next year. Some of these destinations are Turkish republics in the CIS and some are in mid Africa. Also the frequencies of some of the existing flights in the Far East such as Bangkok will be increased. 

  According to your customer feedback, what is the one thing about Turkish Airlines that passenger are most pleased with, and what is the one point that needs the most improvement? 

We have the least number of lost luggage incidents. In fact, Turkish Airlines has a record of being the airline with the fewest number of lost luggage cases for two years running. As for the other thing, during very busy seasons we have some problems during check-ins.

  Thank you. Finally, do you have any idea why passengers on Turkish Airlines flights applaud when the plane lands?

I imagine they do it to congratulate the pilot. I don’t know why they do it, but I have heard that it is a tradition on some other airlines as well.

Miles&Smiles Frequent Flyer Program

Miles&Smiles is the Frequent Flyer Program of Turkish Airlines. In Miles&Smiles program, our members can earn mileage for their flights with Turkish Airlines and partner airlines, partner hotel stays and car rentals and from Shop & Miles credit card expenditures as well as through health services. It is possible to redeem miles for free tickets, companion tickets and upgrades on TK flights. 

There are four card types in the Miles&Smiles Program. 
Classic, 
Classic Plus, 
Elite and 
Elite Plus. 

While Classic Plus members have access to the domestic terminal CIP lounges even when they are booked on Turkish Airlines Economy Class flights, Elite and Elite Plus members have the liberty to make use of domestic and international terminal private lounges (CIP Lounges) both for domestic and international Turkish Airlines flights, even when they are booked on Economy Class flights. 

The family members (spouse and children) or one guest can also make use of this advantage on the condition that they are traveling together.

The UK office of Turkish Airlines first opened in London in June 1969. The first flight was on 12 July 1969 to Istanbul from London, carrying 37 passengers. Since those times when trade and tourism were relatively low, the UK office has become a major hub for the Turkish national airline.

Eight years ago flight frequencies were increased from 2 to 3 times a day. For the last two years, the frequency of London-Istanbul flights from Heathrow have been 7 times a week from Heathrow. Since June 05, new flights have been added from Stansted at a frequency of three times a week.

With the increase in tourism, the Turkish population in UK and more foreigners buying property in Turkey, the UK branch is becoming even more important in the global operations of Turkish Airlines.

Head Office:
125 Pall Mall, 
London, SW1Y 5EA 
Phone: 020 7766 9300 
Fax: 020 7976 1738
turkishairlines.uk@btinternet.com