Small capacity with regular frequency key for Turkish Airlines strategy to Africa, and perhaps India

In an interview with CAPA, Turkish Airlines CEO Temel Kotil expanded on the airline's strategic decision to deploy a specially configured sub-fleet of B737-900ERs on many African routes, primarily in the central and western region of the continent. The strategy could be expanded to Central Asia and India, Mr Kotil says.

He said that while Africa is a very good market for carriers - including Turkish - the seat demand is small and carriers have responded by offering limited frequencies on large aircraft able to span the distances involved. While non-stop long-haul passenger comfort is maintained, sporadic flights have meant that travellers have had to tailor trips to the airline's schedules rather than to their actual needs.