Turkish Airlines has gone from strength to strength in recent years, adding new routes across Europe and Asia as well as expanding into Africa. A new multi-billion dollar hub airport in the works in Istanbul means this impressive growth story will soon be given yet another boost. But with many ambitious competitors also expanding across the Gulf and the Middle East, can the Turkish aviation vision continue to soar? John Defterios spoke to the airline's CEO, Temel Kotil, to find out. Below is an edited version of their conversation. John Defterios (JD): Why do you think there is so much growth coming out of Turkey?
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Turkish Airlines expanding into Asia, Europe and Africa
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New hub airport in Istanbul with first stage set to open in 2017
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Aviation industry set to expand dramatically by 2030
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Temel Kotil (@placeholder): The airline business is so big and economies are growing in East Asia, Africa and Europe which is feeding us so we are going to grow.
Istanbul
Istanbul
This means Turkish Airlines becomes a nice feeder from @placeholder.
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines
(We can) combine these bigger airports with the passenger capabilities of the @placeholder.
Istanbul
Istanbul
Today they want to fly to @placeholder but because of capacity concerns they are not coming.