Equatorial Guinea proposes Turkish Airlines make it its African hub
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Real Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea’s Transport Minister Honorato Evita Oma received a Turkish Airlines delegation in Malabo and proposed that the country become its main operations centre in Africa. The government is offering advantages on landing fees, airport services and fuel prices. The airline’s Vice-President for Africa, Ensar Karabulut, said these terms would be included in its feasibility study.
Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of State for Transport, Telecommunications and Civil Aviation, Honorato Evita Oma, has proposed that Turkish Airlines make the country its main operations centre in Africa. He chaired a working meeting in Malabo with a delegation from the Turkish carrier, reports Real Equatorial Guinea.
According to the outlet, the proposal provides for Equatorial Guinean airports to serve as a connecting base for flights to other points on the continent, and not only as a destination. In return, the government is offering advantages on landing fees, airport services and fuel prices.
Before the meeting, the airline’s representatives visited the international airports of Malabo, Bata and Mongomoyen. They judged the condition of the facilities positively. Turkish Airlines' Vice-President of Sales for Africa, Ensar Karabulut, said these economic terms will be included in the feasibility study. The cost of fuel will weigh particularly heavily there: its rise on the African market has led the airline to suspend certain routes.
The two sides also discussed cooperation with the national carriers Ceiba Intercontinental and Ceiba Aeropuertos, as well as the facilities of the e-visa and the visa on arrival. Turkish Airlines has already operated flights to Malabo since 2020. Its feasibility report will be examined by its management in Istanbul before any decision.
This offer follows the delegation’s visit, reported on 6 November, when Turkish Airlines was assessing Equatorial Guinea’s airports in order to resume its flights.
