Turkish Airlines has announced a new service to Miami, from Istanbul – the first direct service since September 2001.
The airline will commence the new daily service from October 25, 2015, using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, departing from Istanbul at 13:30pm, arriving into Miami at 19:30pm. The return journey will depart Miami at 21:30pm, arriving into Turkey at 16:30pm (+1 day).
It is part of a move for Miami to grow its international reach, and bring as many carriers as possible from different parts of the world.
“We want to connect Miami to the world. We do it one airline at a time,” said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. González.
Turkish Airlines first operated the Istanbul – Miami route in June 1999, where it operated a three-weekly A340-300 operation, but stopped the service in September 2001.
The route has potential on both sides of the ocean, for business and leisure travellers heading to Istanbul, as well as residents of Turkey interested in visiting Miami, according to the Turkish consul general, Ozgur K. Altan.
“In Turkey, there’s a lot of interest in Miami; obviously the weather is fantastic, it’s a hospitable town, people are buying homes here. It’s going to be just great for everyone. We have been working on it for a very long time,” he said.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is ranked 13th in the world for total passenger traffic, with a total of 56.8 million passengers in 2014, while Turkish Airlines route map currently spans 264 destinations in 108 countries, expected to increase to 273 countries by the end of the year.
Istanbul is the city that straddles both Europe and Asia, and has strong links to Central and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
“We don’t have a direct flight to Israel, but they have very robust traffic from Tel Aviv to Istanbul,” González said. “Not only does it open us up to a global market, but there’s a niche market there in hopefully drawing Israeli passengers.”
William Talbert, President and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau said that 96 percent of visitors to Miami come by air, and the bureau has partnered with the Airport to pitch Miami as a destination for Turkish Airlines. “To continue to have the records we’ve seen, this expansion of air routes is key,” he said.
Turkish has been expanding its US presence over the last two years, with the addition of flights to Houston and San Francisco; both of which are hubs for United, offering smoother connections for the Star Alliance members.
Miami has also continued to grow, reaching 100 air carriers last winter after Frontier Airlines commenced service. The international airport will continue to spread its wings, with the addition of Austrian Airlines and Aruba later this year.
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