Turkish Airlines Now Offers Daily Non-stop Flights between Los Angeles and Istanbul

Turkish Airlines General Manager Western USA, Fatma Yuceler, Los Angeles World Airports executives, and Turkish Consul General Aydın Topcu along with VIP guests, members of the media and departing passengers gathered at Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Wednesday to celebrate the launch of Turkish Airlines' daily flights between Los Angeles and Istanbul. The celebration also marked the one year anniversary of the airlines' service launch to LAX and its continued global expansion.

"I am very proud that Turkish Airlines chose LAX as its U.S. West Coast gateway last year and now is expanding to daily service," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa. "The non-stop route between LAX and Istanbul has strengthened business, tourism and cultural ties with one of the most desirable cities in Eurasia, while contributing substantially to the economy of Southern California."

LAX attracts and supports economic activity throughout Southern California. An estimated 158,000 jobs in the city of Los Angeles can be directly attributed to LAX and one in 20 jobs in Southern California is created as a result of LAX operations. To contribute to this economic impact throughout the region, Turkish Airlines inaugurated service from Los Angeles last year with nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Istanbul four times per week. On March 26, 2012, Turkish Airlines began offering daily flights between Los Angeles and Istanbul, providing convenient flights to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

"We congratulate Turkish Airlines on its one-year anniversary at LAX. The airlines' transoceanic non-stop service is a prime example of the type of quality air service we want to attract to LAX as we continue our $4.1-billion LAneXt™ modernization program," said Stephen Martin, LAWA chief operating officer. "We appreciate the airline's confidence in us as we undertake construction of the New Tom Bradley International Terminal that will add 1.2 million square feet of space -- more than doubling the current size of this terminal. We are scheduled to open several of the 18 new gates and 150,000 square feet of premium retail, dining and other passenger amenities for travelers Spring 2013."

In addition to Los Angeles, Turkish Airlines increased non-stop Trans-Atlantic flights to Istanbul from New York and Washington, DC - offering more frequent and convenient departures for business and leisure travelers.

"Offering daily flights will give more options for passengers to Turkey and beyond with our wide range of global destinations," said Turkish Airlines General Manager Western USA Fatma Yuceler. "Our goal is to quickly address the growing demand for more flights, and at the same time, continue to provide the high level of service and comfort that our passengers have come to expect from us, with traditional Turkish hospitality."

"It is wonderful to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Turkish Airlines flying from Los Angeles to Istanbul and the launch of daily non-stop flights," said Global Brand Ambassador Kobe Bryant. "Turkey is such an exotic destination with rich culture and breathtaking scenery and I am thrilled that it will now be more accessible from Los Angeles."