Turkish Airlines
(Photo : Twitter/Turkish Airlines)

Turkish flag carrier Turkish Airlines announced an increase in the frequency of its direct flights between Mexico and Istanbul this summer.

Demand for more flights from Latin American customers has urged Turkish Airlines to increase the number of flights between Istanbul and two cities in Mexico. The increase initially began last August.

Turkish Airlines' Istanbul-Mexico City and Cancun-Istanbul flights will be increased to four times a week from three times a week as of June 8, 2020. 

The company, which currently serves around 1,800 passengers per week, estimates it will serve over 100,000 passengers annually via the Mexico line.

The new schedule from Istanbul to Mexico City will be active until October 23. Flights from Cancun to Istanbul will be offered four flights a week until October 24.

THY's flights to Latin American countries increased 18.4% in occupancy rates in 2019 compared to the year before. The occupancy rate increased up to 88.4 with a 1.8 point increase last month. 

48,000 passengers were hosted by the Turkish flag carrier only last month with its flights to and from the continent. 

The increase in flight schedules is expected to have a positive reflection on the trade between the two countries. Turkey exports automobiles, jewelry, automotive spare parts, hazelnuts, truck, light-duty trucks, iron and steel to Mexico. The exports have seen an increase of 36% in 2018, totaling around $600.4 million.

It is expected that the developments between Turkey and Mexico, which is the 13th largest exporter and importer in the world, can create vast opportunities such as automotive, electronic devices, energy, machines, engine parts, plastic, steel and iron, medical equipment paper, and organic chemicals.

In 2019, THY witness some major developments. It saw a total of 74.3 million passengers on the carrier. It also made a grand switch to Istanbul Airport in April and grounded a fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft. 

Turkish Airlines had a decrease in the number of passengers last year, which was 1.1% lower than those served in 2018 where a total of 75.1 million passengers used the airlines. 

Late last month, THY said it aimed to carry 78 million to 80 million passengers in 2020.

Turkish Airlines will also increase services to several North American destinations, including Chicago and San Francisco.

Flights from Istanbul to Chicago O'Hare will have an increase from 7 flights a week to 10 flights a week. The new flights will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and will take effect starting May 7, 2020. 

Flights from Istanbul to San Francisco will also see an increase from 7 flights a week to 10 flights a week. The new flights will start operations on June 7, 2020, and will be available on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. 

Cancun was also added as an additional hop after Mexico City in a type of service known as the triangle route. The flights to the Mexican cities will see an increase of upto four flights per week from three flights per week starting June 8, 2020. The service will operate on Mondays from Istanbul and cross over into Tuesday when it arrives in Mexico City.