Turkish Airlines launched its first reciprocal flight from Istanbul to Manila and then Cebu on Jan. 4, 2021.
Its maiden flight arrived in Cebu at 6:52 a.m., GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) announced.
Turkish Airlines is now flying thrice weekly Istanbul-Manila-Cebu flights, connecting Cebu to more than 320 destinations in over 120 countries around the world.
Turkish Airlines flies to 13 different destinations in Philippines: Bacalod, Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan, Cebu, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, Iloilo, Kalibo, Manila, Puerto Princesa, Roxas and Tagbilaran.
Direct flights from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) take eleven to twelve hours in average.
Flights with Turkish Airlines to smaller islands in the archipelago are operated as connecting over Manila.
GMCAC, the joint venture between Megawide and India's infrastructure giant GMR Group, which operates the Mactan Cebu International Airport stated it is "grateful and happy" to welcome Turkish Airlines in Cebu.