A new bilateral agreement has been executed by and between Turkey and Italy for the purpose of increasing the number of the flights operated between the two countries, as well as creating new destinations at these countries.

The delegations chaired by Mr. Bilal EKSI, the Director General of Civil Aviation, and Mr. Alessio QUARANTA, the Director General of Civil Aviation in Italy, have convened at Istanbul on July 7-8, 2014, and revised the present bilateral air transport/services agreement. 

Pursuant to the memorandum of understanding executed in respect of the subjects agreed following the negotiations; the number of the flights operated by the Turkish Air Operators from Istanbul to Italy in a week has been increased by 45 new flights. Thus, the number of the flights operated to Italy in a week has increased to 196 from 151.

Another issue agreed was the fact that the number of the destinations for the scheduled flights, which were namely Rome, Milan/Malpensa in Italy, was increased to 11 from 2. So, the destinations of Bergamo, Bologna, Venice, Genoa, Turin, Naples, Catania and Pisa, for which the flights were being operated on temporary authorizations/permissions, have been made permanent, and the Bari destination has been determined as the new destination for the scheduled flights. 

During the negotiations, whereby the number of the cargo flights to be operated in a week has been determined as 14 frequencies without any restrictions regarding the aircraft types in respect of the cargo flights, an agreement has been reached in respect of combined transportation between the two countries, as well as code sharing, including the 3rd parties, between the destinations for the scheduled flights.  

By means of the said agreement, which provides for an increase of 30 percent at the number of the flights, and which is of importance in respect of finalization of the temporary destinations; the Turkish aviation industry is provided with the opportunity to achieve an additional turnover of approximately USD 47 million on yearly basis.

We hereby respectfully announce the foregoing to the public.