In a written statement to the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP), Turkish Airlines (THY) has disclosed the company’s goals for 2013, stating that the carrier aims to carry around 46 million passengers and make a profit of $9.7 billion.

THY also looks to have a 78.8 percent occupancy rate, flying 17.7 million domestic passengers and 27.3 million international passengers. The statement said the company will continue to expand its operations and increase its number of destinations. With recent decisions taken by the executive board, the company is expected to begin flights to the Colombian capital of Bogotá, Aqaba in Jordan and Mali’s capital Bamako once permission has been granted. Other flights that will become operational in 2013 are to Caracas, Mexico City, Kuala Lumpur and Manila.

Commenting on the statement, THY CEO Hamdi Topçu said there will be nowhere in Europe that THY does not fly to in 2013, also announcing that the frequency for existing flights will be increased and more flight destinations will be added in Europe and the Middle East. He underlined that with its stable growth, number of passengers and quality of services offered, THY has attracted attention from around the world.

Furthermore, he implied the company has plans to increase the frequency of flights operated to many countries in Africa, noting, “Without a doubt, we will realize our targets with 18 million employees and a highly qualified management team.”

In addition, Topçu stated that as a result of the two agreements signed by the Transportation Ministry’s Civil Aviation General Directorate (SHGM) to improve the flight network, the number of passengers flying to African countries has risen by almost 50 percent. “In past years, flights were operated to 13 African countries but once the agreements were signed last year 12 more countries were added to the list, bringing the number of passengers up to 1.5 million from 998.000 before the agreements,” he commented.

Topçu added that as accessibility to Africa has increased, it has attracted more investment and it is expected that the demand will increase for more flight connections to the continent.