Turkish Airlines marks 10 years of operation in Kenya

By Magdalene Mukami and Andrew Waisike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Tourism Minister Najib Balala on Saturday hailed Turkish Airlines as a blessing to his country’s tourism industry.

He was speaking at an event at the Turkish embassy in Nairobi celebrating the 10th anniversary of the operation of Turkey’s national flag carrier in Kenya.

The airliner launched its first direct flight from Istanbul to Nairobi in 2009.

“For us, it is very important to make the partnership with Turkish Airlines, because it opens Kenya to the world through Istanbul,” Balala said.

He highlighted that Kenya received more than 2 million international tourists in 2018, adding that Turkish Airlines is “a blessing to our tourism industry.”

The Kenyan tourism industry is benefitting from Turkish Airlines to bring international visitors, he went on to say. “It builds our relationship both politically, socially and economically.”

“Turkish airlines played a major role in connecting the people as well as the economies.”

Balala added that his country wants to make partnerships with Turks “in every way.”

Turkish Ambassador to Kenya Ahmet Cemil Miroglu told Anadolu Agency that they are always doing their best to improve economic and cultural relations with Kenya.

“Turkish airlines are one of the best contributors to this process,” he added. “We have been in Kenya for the last 50 years.”

Founded in 1933, Turkish Airlines, flies to 306 destinations in 124 countries with a fleet of 338 aircraft, including passenger and cargo planes.