Turkish Airlines is commemorating its 50-year presence in the capital region of Berlin, marking the anniversary with a special flight operated by a retro-style Airbus A330-203, symbolizing the first landing at Berlin-Schönefeld Airport on 28 September 1973.
This event celebrates the enduring non-stop connection between Istanbul and Berlin, a route that has facilitated tourism and economic cooperation between the two cities for decades.
In 2022, Turkish Airlines secured its position as one of the five largest airlines at Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt Airport, serving 735,000 passengers. The airline continues to strengthen the bond between Berlin and Istanbul, offering up to six flights a day and providing direct flights to over 120 countries from Istanbul. Seasonal flights to various Turkish destinations are also part of the airline’s extensive network.
Zekeriya Kurucam, General Manager of Turkish Airlines Berlin, expressed his delight in celebrating the milestone with a special flight and emphasized the significant support from local business partners, travel agents, and passengers over the last five decades. He extended his gratitude towards Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH for a successful partnership, stating, “We would like to thank the management at Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH for the successful partnership.”
Aletta von Massenbach, Chief Executive Officer of Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH, highlighted the airline’s impressive journey and the strong connection it has fostered between the capital region and Istanbul. She remarked, “The airline has been an important partner for us from the first flight to Berlin-Schönefeld to the connections from Tegel and its presence at the current airport in the capital region BER. We look forward to continued successful years of cooperation with Turkish Airlines at BER.”
Beyond passenger services, Turkish Airlines plays a crucial role in cargo handling at the airport, holding a 15 percent market share in cargo handling services at BER. The airline showcased its capabilities in air cargo during the earthquake relief efforts in southeast Turkey in February 2023, swiftly transporting around 150 tonnes of cargo from Berlin to the affected areas.
Photo credit: Günter Wicker / Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
