Guangzhou, China, January 31, 2011 – Turkish Airlines opened its service to Guangzhou this afternoon with an inaugural flight from Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport, a Boeing 777, touching down in the southern Chinese city. The first flight was greeted by a dragon dance and a delegation of well-wishers that included the Honorable Gong Xiaosheng, Ambassador to Turkey for China and the Honorable Murat Salim Esenli, the Ambassador to China for Turkey.
Guangzhou becomes Turkish Airlines’ third destination in Mainland China, joining Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong in the airlines’ China network. Scheduled service will depart from Guangzhou for Istanbul with return service three times a week. The route is served by one of Turkish Airlines’ newest Boeing 777 aircraft, and offers Economy Class, Business Class and the airlines’ latest “Comfort Class” cabins. In addition, the flight also features Turkish Airlines’ award-winning, in-flight service with innovations like the Flying Chef.
The dignities gathered to witness the landing of the new flight saw the opening of new service between Turkey and China in the broader context of the relationship between the two countries, which is growing rapidly. Mr. Esenli noted that, “2011 marks the 40th anniversary of bi-lateral ties between Turkey and China. It is fitting that this year also marks the broadest expansion in direct links between our countries, as Turkish Airlines adds Guangzhou to its global network. We look forward to increasing cultural, economic and political cooperation with the help of this direct flight.”
Melih Topuz, the newly appointed Director of the Turkish Airlines Guangzhou office was also sanguine about the new service. “It is exciting of course to open a new destination, and Guangzhou is a perfect addition to the Turkish Airlines network. For centuries, Guangzhou was the Eastern end of the maritime Silk Road, with Turkey being the Western end. Now the route taken by boats, which took weeks is covered in hours on a Turkish Airlines jet. Now Istanbul can take its place as a window to the West for the people of Guangzhou. I’m looking forward to welcoming more and more travelers from Guangzhou to experience Turkey and experience Europe with Turkish Airlines.”
Turkish Airlines Guangzhou – Istanbul service schedule is three times a week. Scheduled flights depart Istanbul at 23:05, and arrive in Guangzhou the following day at 14:50. Flights depart Guangzhou for Istanbul at 23:05, arriving the following day at 05:05 local time. This provides travelers enough time to make convenient connections to more than 160 destinations in Turkish Airlines global network.
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