TÜROB's initiative yields its first concrete result; China's largest airline announces its firm decision, with other carriers next in line...

The efforts launched on the initiative of the Association of Turkish Hoteliers (TÜROB) to have Chinese airlines once again operate flights to Turkey have yielded their first concrete result. China Southern, China's largest airline, officially announced its decision to return to Turkey, while Hainan Airlines is also said to be preparing to resume flights between China and Turkey. TÜROB President Timur Bayındır expressed satisfaction with this decision, noting that extensive contacts are being maintained both in Turkey and in China and that other Chinese carriers are also making preparations to launch flights.

The work launched on the initiative of the Association of Turkish Hoteliers (TÜROB), in cooperation with the Istanbul Governorate, Turkish Airlines (THY) and the Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TTYD), to have Chinese airlines resume flights to Turkey has borne its first fruit. China Southern, China's largest airline, has decided to return to Turkey. China Southern's first flight will take place on December 20. It has been learned that the company plans to operate on the Beijing-Istanbul route, and the number of weekly flights is reported to be 3. The Chinese company had suspended its Turkey flights in 2016. Other Chinese companies with which contacts are continuing are also expected to announce their Turkey plans soon. Among these companies, Hainan Airlines is also said to be preparing to begin flights between China and Turkey.

Bayındır: More will follow

A delegation formed with the participation of senior officials from TÜROB as well as the Istanbul Governorate, THY and TTYD recently visited China and held talks with Chinese companies to increase the number of flights from China to Turkey. These contacts are being continued on various platforms in China and Turkey. In a statement on the matter, TÜROB President Timur Bayındır said they were greatly pleased that China Southern had decided to resume flights to Turkey. Pointing out that the talks held were results-oriented and that Chinese companies had begun announcing their decisions to fly to Turkey, Bayındır also stated that Chinese companies launching flights to Turkey would create a positive perception of Turkey in that country.

Chinese companies are not flying

Bayındır gave the following information: "China Southern Airlines, China's largest airline, had suspended its Istanbul flights due to the adverse events taking place in Turkey and security concerns, even though the route was the most profitable among all international flights in 2015 and 2016. In our latest contacts, they accepted our proposals to resume flights, and they announced this decision. THY's number of weekly flights between the two countries is limited to 34. THY operates a codeshare partnership with China Airlines on some of these flights, but Chinese-flagged airlines have no direct flights to our country. Should Chinese-flagged airlines begin direct flights to our country, it is likely that THY will also increase its current number of flights, both on the basis of reciprocity and in line with aviation practices."

The atmosphere is positive

Reiterating his view that the most significant obstacle to the target of 1 million Chinese tourists annually, which our country has long been striving to reach, is the inadequacy of transport options, Bayındır said: "Bayındır also stated that Chinese companies launching flights to Turkey would create a positive perception of Turkey in that country. An increase in the number of flights between the two countries will lead to a considerable rise in the number of Chinese tourists coming to our country. The political atmosphere between the two countries has improved and is positive, and relations are good. While Chinese tourists' interest in Turkey is growing, positive developments are also in play, such as the e-visa convenience Turkey has introduced for Chinese citizens, 2018 being the Year of Turkish Tourism in China, and China's goal of reviving the historic Silk Road." In an earlier statement, Bayındır had also drawn attention to the aircraft shortage concerning the Chinese tourism market, saying: "If all of China wanted to come to Turkey, only 300,000 people could come per year with the current flight capacity. Flights from China to Turkey absolutely must increase. The target of 1 million Chinese tourists is an achievable figure. All that is needed is for the transport capacity to be provided."

Up 89 percent in 7 months

From China, 114,000 visited Turkey in 2012, 138,000 in 2013, 199,000 in 2014, 313,000 in 2015, 167,000 in 2016, and 247,000 Chinese in 2017. In the first 7 months of this year, 225,000 Chinese tourists arrived, a significant increase of 89 percent compared to the first 7 months of last year. While the number of Chinese traveling abroad was 107 million in 2014, this figure rose to 117 million in 2015 and 122 million in 2016. The annual spending of Chinese tourists worldwide exceeded 110 billion dollars.

Number of tourists from China to Turkey by year

2012 114 thousand

2013 138 thousand

2014 199 thousand

2015 313 thousand

2016 167 thousand

2017 247 thousand

2018 (7 months) 225 thousand

Number of Chinese tourists traveling abroad by year

2012 80 million

2013 98 million

2014 107 million

2015 117 million

2016 122 million

2017 131 million