EasyJet, Europe's leading low-cost airline, could not remain indifferent to Turkey's potential.

Peter Voets, the company's Switzerland, Austria and Eastern Europe Marketing Manager, said that even though their market share is only 3 percent, low-fare flights have a big potential in Turkey...

Voets asserted that EasyJet will launch 21 new routes in the coming year, 5 of which will be to Turkey and he added that Turkish airlines sector is one of the fastest growing markets in Europe.

Emphasizing that recent increase in travelling preferences has an important role in the growth; Voets said that EasyJet will not remain indifferent to that potential.

Voets said: "Low fare flights in Turkey have a big potential even though their market share is only 3 percent" and he added that five flights will be launched to Dalaman and Bodrum from different take-off points. Flights from London and Stansted to Dalaman will be scheduled three times a week, and from London and Stansted to Bodrum four times a week. Voets said that tickets for these routes will be on sale as of December 21st.

Aimed to increase profitability by 7 Percent

Pointing out that although increase in passenger volume has been following a potent course in November and December, airline sector is to face a difficult time in winter, Voets said: "Increasing unemployment rates in Europe will negatively affect winter months. But EasyJet is one of the few companies in Europe that aims to make profit. We want to increase our profitability by 7 percent in 2010."

Emphasizing that Turkish market easily adopts itself to low-cost flights, Voets asserted that especially during economic crisis, consumers became much more budget-conscious.

Votes pointed out that EasyJet is the fourth-largest airline in Turkey in terms of seating capacity and it has a market share of 7 percent.

Reminding that Turkish market is very competitive, Voets said that small scale companies exist in the market but only strong and powerful ones will be afloat and mergers might take place.

Explaining that rise in petroleum prices by $10 per ton will increase petroleum expenses to £5,1 million, Voets said that to balance the risk, they have hedged 66% of petroleum expenditure.

Voets stated that EasyJet has always been working on providing new services and projects, and recently offered its passengers online check-in service.. He added that in 2010, there will be new surprises for passengers.

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