Istanbul all set to be global hub of air travel

The Turkish capital city of Istanbul is ideally positioned to be the global connection point for air travel in a decade's time, says Temel Kotil, chief executive officer, Turkish Airlines.

"While Europe's traditional airports are struggling to add travellers as weak economies hurt demand, Istanbul is racing ahead with a double digit growth thanks largely to the phenomenal success of Turkish Airlines," Kotil said in his key-note address at the IBS Cargo Forum in Istanbul.

Turkish Airlines is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world and is well placed to hit 120 million passengers and 450 aircraft by the year 2023.

The aviation conference was organised by IBS, the Technopark based IT solutions provider to the aviation industry, in Istanbul last week. Some 70 air cargo experts representing airlines including South African Airways, Qantas, Hawaiian Airlines, Lufthansa, All Nippon Airways, Nippon Cargo Airlines and Turkish Cargo attended the meet.

The conclave saw the unveiling of iCargo portal by IBS Software which would enable greater adaption of E-freight enhancing productivity.