Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) Chairman of the Board Gürsel Baran stated that the issue of direct flights from the capital to abroad is always at the top of their agenda and that they are working with relevant institutions and organizations, especially Turkish Airlines (THY). Baran said, “We aim to position our capital as the hub of Anatolia for international flights. We find the Ankara-based location of AnadoluJet, our flag carrier company, very important in this respect.”
In his written statement, ATO President Gürsel Baran stated that Ankara is located in the middle of Turkey geographically as well as being the center of the state administration, and that Ankara has fast and easy transportation connections with the surrounding provinces and districts. Noting that Ankara is also an industry, trade, university and tourism city with its population approaching six million, Baran said, “There are cities and districts around Ankara that have investment, production and export potential, which can be reached in a maximum of half a day by road and in a few hours by high-speed train. taking. The positioning of our capital as the hub of international flights will enable our investors, entrepreneurs and business people in these cities to open up to the world. Ankara has the potential to be Anatolia's hub for international flights, thanks to its geographical location and its highway and high-speed train connections with nearby cities and districts. As the demand for international flights increases with passengers coming from nearby regions, the number of flights and destinations will also increase. We find the Ankara-based location of AnadoluJet, our flag carrier company, very important in this respect.”
Stating that Ankara Esenboğa Airport is among the most modern airports in Europe, Baran said, “Esenboğa Airport, which has a capacity of 30 million passengers and serves approximately 40 thousand passengers per day, offers domestic and international flights together. Esenboğa is in a position to meet the demands from the surrounding provinces and districts.”
THERE IS A DEMAND FROM THE SURROUNDING PROVINCES
ATO President Baran stated that he received requests from surrounding cities and districts for Ankara to be a hub for international flights.