Nigerians, others to benefit from TK/ME codeshare pact

Nigerian passengers and passengers from other countries, who travel on Turkish Airlines (TK) and Middle East Airlines (ME), will be part of the beneficiaries of the codeshare agreement recently signed by the two airlines.

The agreement, which becomes effective as of May 15, cover routes between Turkey and Lebanon, and expands the travel opportunities for the passengers of both airlines.

According to the airlines, the new codeshare agreement will broaden the commercial partnership between the two companies and their respective countries.

At the same time, passengers of both airlines will be given more travel options between Lebanon and Turkey.

“Under the terms of the agreement, Middle East airlines and Turkish airlines will place their codes on the flights of middle east airlines on Beirut – Istanbul v.v. and on the flights of Turkish airlines on Istanbul – Beirut v.v. route. Turkish Airlines will operate three daily flights on Istanbul-Beirut-Istanbul route, while Middle East airlines will be operating two daily flights Beirut – Istanbul –Beirut route,” the airline operators said in a statement.

Commenting on the pact, Mohamad El-Hout, Middle East airlines Chairman and Director General, expressed the importance of this agreement, as being a step in stimulating the economic cooperation between Lebanon and Turkey, and will enable both airlines to further accommodate the needs of their loyal passengers.

“It is worth highlighting that this agreement is signed between two members of two different airline alliances, which prove the ability of both airlines to expand their networks to the cities not served by their aircrafts,” he said.

According to Bilal Eki, Turkish airlines’ deputy chairman and CEO; “We are pleased to sign this codeshare agreement with Middle East Airlines and aim to improve our partnership to maximize the travel opportunities offered to our passengers through our flight networks.

“Moreover, we believe that this partnership with Middle East Airlines will not only maximize the travel opportunities offered to our passengers through the networks of both airlines but also bring enormous benefit from a commercial perspective.”

Eki also stressed that travelers of both airlines will experience a streamlined level of services covered by the agreement onboard two modern fleets of aircraft and he expressed his hope that this step will be the first on the way to further enhancing relations between two airlines in the future.

 

IFEOMA OKEKE