Turkish Airlines Vital Player in Earthquake Recovery
Category:NewsIt remains clear that Turkish Airlines has become a vital player in assisting those affected by the earthquake in Turkey that happened a couple of weeks ago.
Earlier this week, the carrier announced that they have carried 238,112 search and rescue personnel across 1,324 aid flights.
On top of this, Turkish Airlines evacuated 230,980 citizens from the Turkey earthquake areas across 1,302 flights.
The airline also carried 15,648 tons of air material free of charge to the areas affected across 156 cargo flights.
Turkish Airlines were key to note that 6,198 tons of the cargo were carried with flights conducted from 77 countries, while the remaining 9,450 tons were from the airline itself.
Expanding more on the efforts made by Turkish Airlines was the Chairman of the Board, Ahmet Bolat:
“With the responsibility of being the national flag carrier, we are working with all officials, including AFAD, to mend the wounds caused by the earthquake as the 75 thousand-strong Turkish Airlines family.”
“Within that framework, we will be building a Turkish Airlines neighborhood in the region with 1000 homes for those affected by the earthquake.”
“We will also employ 1000 personnel from 1000 families affected by the earthquake in Turkish Airlines and its subsidiaries.”
“During these times when we come together as one in the face of natural disaster, Turkish Airlines also donated 2 billion TL while I personally donated my salary of March 2023 for immediate aid efforts.”
“We also wish to extend our gratitude to our friends from abroad for their overwhelming support and aid in response to the crisis, along with our missions, embassies, and consulates for their coordination in order to deliver aid material from other countries to the affected region with our cargo flights.”
“Our flag carrier will continue to be with our citizens in the future just like it has been with all of its capabilities.”
Turkish Airlines has also confirmed that the free-of-charge flights for citizens affected by the Turkey earthquake will continue.
The airline said the following on this via a statement:
“Offering free ticketing and reservation since 7 February, flag carrier also accepts citizens without reservations depending on the availability of the aircraft.”
“Our passengers are able to change or refund their domestic flights or international flights to/from earthquake-afflicted areas between 6 February – 31 March, as long as they were first arranged before February 9, 2023.”