Turkish Airlines is continuing to grow by adding new destinations to its consistently expanding network.
The carrier has just added flights to Havana and Caracas as its 16th and 17th destinations in the Americas.
Its other destinations in the Americas are Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Bogota, Panama, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, Boston, San Francisco, Miami and Atlanta.
The inaugural flight from Istanbul received water cannon salutes at both airports. Mehmet Buyukeksi, member of the board of Turkish Airlines, senior bureaucrats from Cuba and Venezuela, diplomats, media representatives and airline executives took part in the ceremonies.
Buyukeksi said: “Our flag carrier assumes Havana and Caracas are essential points in its Latin America expansion and places itself at the forefront to shorten the distances between desiring travelers who will arrive with all kinds of expectations to the biggest Island in the Antilles.
“The opening of our Havana and Caracas gateways also means that we will now be able to deliver our award-winning services that will make the international travel easier and more convenient for both business and leisure travelers in this area.’’
The “Bridging Youth” project, a corporate responsibility initiative by the carrier, was also launched along with the new destinations. Four university students from Turkey were given free tickets to Havana to take part in a series of cultural activities including guided tours of the city with their Cuban hosts.
Havana and Caracas flights are being operated three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. 
Introductory round-trip fares are available from Istanbul to Havana and Caracas.
Flying from Jose Marti International Airport and Simon Bolivar International Airport, the new services will also connect passengers departing from Havana and Caracas to 102 worldwide destinations including Paris, London, Madrid, Rome, Moscow, Barcelona, Beirut, Guangzhou, Porto, Frankfurt, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Zurich, Amsterdam, Munich, Copenhagen, Berlin and Vienna.

Source: Arab News