Lufthansa, THY talks on track, chief executive says

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Turkish and German prime ministers have cleared the way for the THY-Lufthansa deal, Kotil says. DHA photo

Talks between the national flag carrier, Turkish Airlines (THY), and Germany’s Lufthansa for deeper cooperation are improving and an announcement on the issue may come in the first quarter of next year, according to Turkish Airlines President and CEO Temel Kotil.

“The prime ministers of both countries had talks about [the possible cooperation between the airline companies]. This cleared the way for the two companies [to make an agreement]. I have met up with the general manager of Lufthansa in China,” he told local broadcaster CNBC-e.

Turkish Airlines has added two destinations in Africa to its vast flight network. The company commenced round trips to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania and Mombasa, Kenya from Istanbul yesterday, increasing the total number of destinations to 209 in 92 countries.

The flights will be held five days a week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for Istanbul-Kilimanjaro-Mombasa and on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday for Mombasa-Istanbul.