Turkish Airlines continues to reinforce its leadership in African aviation, operating the largest flight network outside the continent and serving as a crucial bridge between Africa and global markets.
At the 5th Turkey-Africa Economic and Business Forum, Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure highlighted the growing depth of Türkiye’s relationship with Africa and its remarkable success in civil aviation.
He noted that Turkish Airlines (THY) now operates to the second-largest number of African countries and destinations, following Ethiopian Airlines.
Emphasizing Türkiye’s strategic approach based on the principle of ‘African Solutions to African Problems,’ the Minister underscored that such cooperation in civil aviation is fostering meaningful commercial partnerships between Türkiye and African countries.
Türkiye’s geographic advantage further strengthens this engagement. Located at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa, Türkiye offers access to 67 countries with a combined population of 1.5 billion people within a four-hour flight radius.
The Minister stressed that Africa’s rising geopolitical importance and strategic trade routes are increasingly drawing global attention, making Türkiye’s position as a connector more significant than ever.
He reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to equal partnership and mutual benefit under its Partnership Policy with Africa, which has driven substantial growth in trade, investment, and diplomacy.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has made more than 50 visits to African nations, the highest by any world leader, reflecting Türkiye’s growing influence across multiple sectors, including aviation.
Turkish Airlines remains the central pillar of this cooperation. While other Turkish carriers such as AJet, Pegasus, and SunExpress primarily operate flights to North Africa, Turkish Airlines connects the entire continent.
The Minister revealed that the airline now serves 39 destinations across 53 African countries, giving it the largest flight network in Africa outside the continent and placing it second only to Ethiopian Airlines in terms of destinations and countries covered.
Beyond passenger operations, Turkish Airlines’ cargo services have become vital to Africa’s trade ecosystem, facilitating smoother access to global markets and bolstering economic ties between Türkiye and African nations.
Türkiye’s achievements in aviation are backed by sustained investment of $25 billion since 2002, transforming the nation into a global aviation leader. The country has established an average of 1.4 new airports annually, resulting in 58 active airports, with two more under construction.
Over the past two decades, Türkiye has built comprehensive expertise in all aspects of aviation, from airport design and construction to air traffic management. The Minister expressed Türkiye’s readiness to share its knowledge and collaborate with African partners in aviation and transport infrastructure development.
He also noted that recent disruptions in global supply chains have underscored the importance of resilient and sustainable logistics networks.
With Africa’s growing potential and the global need for diversified routes, enhanced transportation connectivity will play a key role in sustaining and expanding Türkiye-Africa relations in the years ahead.
TRADE WORLD | IMF Chief Says Open Trade Vital for India’s Continued Economic Growth
