Turkey’s national airline this week announced during a meeting with Routes Europe 2012 host, Tallinn Airport that they will be commencing a three times weekly service to the Estonian capital from their Istanbul base.

The first meeting of the day for Routes Europe 2012 host, Tallinn Airport proved to be extra special, not only had the airport team been working hard on preparing to host the 7th Routes Europe event, and largest to date, but they have also been working on attracting Turkish Airlines to service Tallinn.

Erik Sakkov, Member of the Management Board at Tallinn Airport explained: “After many years of negotiations at Routes events, and after visiting them at their home base in Istanbul, we are delighted that Turkish Airlines have informed us this morning of their intention to commence services to Tallinn. This new service will allow Estonians to travel to Asia, Africa and beyond from Tallinn Airport. What a fantastic surprise on our first day of meetings as host of Routes Europe 2012.”

Over 175 airline delegates representing 85 of Europe’s leading airlines are represented at Routes Europe this amounts to a 53% growth in airline delegate numbers from last year’s event which was held in Cagliari, Italy, making Routes Europe 2012 the largest European route development event ever.

Tallinn Airport Ltd operates seven airports in Estonia with the largest in terms of facilities, network and traffic flows, Tallinn Airport, celebrated its 75th birthday in 2011. This makes it one of the oldest airports in Europe enabling them to take their past experiences and add today’s innovations and knowledge transforming the airport into a modern and comfortable facility which is one of the fastest growing airports in Europe.

Watch our EXCLUSIVE video with Erik Sakkov from Routes Europe here.