AnadoluJet starts flights to Erbil, N.Iraq

By Muhammed Ali Gurtas

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's national flag carrier subsidiary AnadoluJet on Thursday started international flights from two southeastern Turkish provinces to Erbil, northern Iraq.

The company expanded its flight network with a new overseas destination in addition to its previous flights to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

"With a motto of everybody should fly, AnadoluJet presented its advantageous prices to the passengers flying from Gaziantep and Diyarbakir to Erbil," the airline said.

The company said Gaziantep - Erbil and Diyarbakir - Erbil reciprocal flights will run three days a week with a starting cost of $99.

The airline also noted that the new destination hosts Erbil Citadel, one of the world's oldest known buildings, which has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2014.

Samil Karakas, head of the company, said: "Flying from these two important cities of Anatolia to Erbil, a city known for its historical and natural wonders, we continue our task of building bridges between cities and cultures."

"We believe that these flights will offer great benefits to the development of trade relations in the region," Karakas added.

AnadoluJet, which was established in 2008 as a sub-brand of Turkish Airlines, currently flies to over 70 destinations with its fleet of 37 aircrafts.

Turkish Airlines, founded in 1933, flies to more than 300 destinations in over 120 countries.

Last year, the company carried 75.2 million passengers with a seat occupancy rate of 82 percent, and this year aims to reach 80 million passengers on domestic and international routes.

The airline’s net profit reached 4.04 billion Turkish liras ($753 million) last year, up from 639 million liras ($223 million) in 2017.