Turkish Airlines launched daily flights from Atlanta to Istanbul on Monday, bringing a new international carrier and route to the world's busiest airport.
Atlanta is the ninth U.S. destination for Turkish Airlines. Turkey's flag carrier is flying the new Atlanta-Istanbul route with Boeing 777-300ER jets.
Credit: Kelly Yamanouchi
Credit: Kelly Yamanouchi
The Turkish Airlines route has been two years in the making. A delegation from Atlanta including Mayor Kasim Reed's chief of staff Candace Byrd made a trip to Turkey in 2014, the same year the airport launched a $2 million incentive program to attract new international routes. The airline last year announced plans for the Atlanta-Istanbul flights.
Credit: Kelly Yamanouchi
Credit: Kelly Yamanouchi
Southwell called the route to Turkey "very strategic" for the development of Atlanta's economy, saying the flights also bring more connections to other parts of the world.
Credit: Kelly Yamanouchi
Credit: Kelly Yamanouchi
Meanwhile, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines last month said it was suspending its seasonal flights from New York to Istanbul, citing "increased security concerns in Turkey" including a State Department travel warning, and "weaker demand for air travel to this market."
Credit: Kelly Yamanouchi
Credit: Kelly Yamanouchi
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