TURKEY BUILDS "AIR BRIDGE" TO FAR EAST

ISTANBUL (A.A) - 16.07.2010 - In a move to expand its worldwide flight network, Turkey has signed civil aviation agreements with several countries in the first half of this year, officials of Turkey's civil aviation authority said on Friday.
Turkey aims to launch flights to new overseas destinations or increase frequency of flights to current spots, especially in Far East and Oceania. 
For this purpose, Turkey, either revised current agreements or signed new ones with 16 countries including Philippines, Indonesia, China, Australia, Japan, Mongolia, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and New Zealand. 
Last year, Turkey signed civil aviation deals with 23 countries, most of which are in Africa.
Agreements include passenger and freight transportation, as well as cooperation in maintenance and training, officials said.