Turkish Airlines has announced it will begin service linking Istanbul with Houston on April 1, 2013.
The four-times-weekly service to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) will be flown by the carrier’s 334-seat Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Connections with fellow Star Alliance carriers, most notably United, will be available. IAH is the largest hub in the Star Alliance network.
Texas is home to a significant Turkish population, enough to justify the country operating a consulate in Houston. “The Istanbul direct flights operated by Turkish Airlines will be essential in our endeavors to further develop relations at all levels and fields in business, trade and investment relations between Turkey and Texas,” said Turkish Consul General Cemalettin Aydin.
“The total Houston to Turkey trade value in 2011 was $3.6 billion,” said Celil Yaka, President of Texas Turkish American Chamber of Commerce, in a statement. “We anticipate this trade will continue to grow significantly thanks to this new flight.”
“The Houston Airport System exists to connect people, businesses, cultures and economies of the world to Houston,” said Mario Diaz, Director of the Houston Airport System. “This flight will open up more convenient travel options to both Turkey and beyond points, in particular, those in South/Central Asia and Africa.”
Houston will become Turkish’s sixth US destination, joining, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington DC.
Schedule
Turkish Airlines Flight 34
Departs Houston: 7:50 pm (Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday)
Arrives Istanbul: 3:55 pm
Turkish Airlines Flight 33
Departs Istanbul: 1:05 pm (Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday)
Arrives Houston: 6:05 pm
