TURKISH AIRLINES TO FLY LAX-ISTANBUL BEGINNING MARCH 2011; NEW FLIGHTS EXPECTED TO GENERATE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ANNUAL REGIONAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

Los Angeles Is First Nonstop Service From Turkey to U.S. West Coast  

            (Los Angeles, California – July 29, 2010)  Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa today cheered the announcement that Turkish Airlines will launch nonstop service from Los AngelesInternationalAirport (LAX) to Istanbul, Turkey four times a week beginning March 3, 2011.  The air service on brand new Boeing 777-300ERaircraft is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually in economic activity inSouthern California.

            “I am very proud that Turkish Airlines has chosen LAX as its U.S. West Coast gateway,” said Mayor Villaraigosa.  “The nonstop route between LAX and Istanbul will strengthen business, tourism and cultural ties with one of the most desirable cities in Eurasia, while providing improved connecting service to more European, Asian, African and Middle Eastern destinations.      

            “Gaining new and increased international service at LAX and LA/Ontario International Airport is a top priority for me because of the substantial contribution these flights make to the economy of Southern California,” the Mayor added. “Turkish Airline’s nonstop service to Istanbul is a prime example of the type of air service we want to attract to our airports.”

            “Passengers will experience Turkish Airlines’ high quality service and overall customer service excellence in Business Class, Comfort Class and Economy Class on brand-new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with the latest technology,” said Fatma Yuceler, Turkish Airlines’ director for west coast.  “This route will open new doors for travel between Los Angeles, Istanbul, and the rest of the world.”   

            According to a study by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, one average daily, round-trip, transoceanic flight of wide-body aircraft to/from LAX generates $623 million in economic output annually, and sustains 3,120 direct and indirect jobs in Southern California with annual wages of $156 million.

            The flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul will operate with four weekly flights (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) from LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal using new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with the latest technology and capacity of 337 passengers.

            The flight schedule was developed to provide Turkish Airlines passengers with convenient connections between Istanbul and major Turkish and Eurasian cities, as well as between LAX and important cities in the Middle East.

            Los Angeles will be Turkish Airlines’ fifth North American gateway, adding toNew York, Chicago, Washington, and Toronto.  Turkish Airlines is a Star Alliance network member that overall offers 19,700 daily flights to 1,077 destinations in 175 countries.  For further information on Turkish Airlines please visitwww.turkishairlines.com.