ANA launched its Haneda – Istanbul route on February 12. As we have already reported on the situation from Haneda and Istanbul, respectively, the first flight was nearly fully booked on both sides, and the latest reservation rates were 85% in February and 70% in March, a good start.
Although Turkish Airlines, a Star Alliance member like ANA, already operates direct flights from Japan to/from Haneda/Narita/Kansai Airport, this is the first scheduled flight by a Japanese airline.
ANA Istanbul Branch Manager Katsuya Fukumoto said that although the route had been planned since 2014, it took more than 10 years, including the Corona disaster, to launch the service, and that it was a long-awaited opening. On the other hand, “The number of travelers from Japan, which decreased due to Corona, has not returned to the previous level. First of all, we need to make Japanese people aware of Turkey,” he said, adding that there is still much they do not know about each other’s countries in order to tap demand.
To cite one example, Mr. Fukumoto, who had been assigned to this post six months prior to the opening of the route, visited the capital city of Ankara on a visit to the local embassy, where he came across a small wooden mosque. While most mosques in the old city of Istanbul are made of stone, this mosque was constructed of wood without using any nails, similar to temples in Japan. It is hard to imagine how many unknowns there are between Japan and Turkey, even from the perspective of these episodes.
We also asked Mr. Fukumoto about his recommendation for Turkish souvenirs, and he said, “As for food, I would have to say sweets. There are many kinds, so please visit there, find something you like, and bring it back home with you. At famous stores, he said, they vacuum-pack the sweets, so they can be expected to last a certain amount of time. Nazar Bonju, an amulet in the shape of an eyeball, is well-known in Turkey, and there is a wide selection, from small ones to large ones that can be held in one’s arms. In addition, the sight of large quantities of pottery, Turkish lamps, and other traditional handicrafts lined up in a storefront is also very attractive and highly recommended.
On the 13th, Mayo Shono made a surprise guest appearance at a party held in Istanbul to commemorate the launch of the flight. She performed her signature song, “Tobi ni Istanbul” (Fly to Istanbul). This was surprisingly the first time for Ms. Shono, who was visiting Istanbul for the ninth time, to sing this song in public.
© Source travel watch
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