Turkish Airlines tops country’s Fortune 500 list

ANKARA-Anadolu Agency

Turkey’s national flag carrier Turkish Airlines topped the Fortune 500 list for Turkey based on exports volume, the company said on Sept. 27.

Turkish Airlines has been leading the Turkey’s Fortune 500 list since 2008, and again ranked first with an exports volume of $8.05 billion in 2018, the statement read.

“Our efforts being deemed worthy of such precious awards give us courage while preparing to reach our new targets,” said Turkish Airlines CFO Murat Şeker.

He added that with the Istanbul New Airport, the national flag carrier will realize higher targets.

The first phase of the new airport is set to be completed on Oct. 29, which is expected to welcome 90 million passengers annually, with 3,500 daily landings and take-offs, according to Transport and Infrastructure Minister Cahit Turhan.

Once complete, the new airport will offer flights to more than 300 destinations with an annual passenger capacity of up to 200 million.

Last year, the airline carried 68.6 million passengers with a 79.1 percent seat occupancy rate.

The Fortune 500 Turkey list includes publicly and privately held companies for which revenues are publicly available.