Turkish Airlines signs deal with Lebanon's MEA

By Muhammed Ali Akman

BEIRUT (AA) - Turkey's flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, signed a new cooperation agreement with Lebanon's Middle East Airlines (MEA) on Thursday.

During a ceremony at Rafiq Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Turkey's ambassador to Lebanon, Cagatay Erciyes, said the deal would encourage more visitors from Turkey.

He said: "Turkey takes first place for Lebanese tourists. This agreement will provide more tourists from Turkey to Lebanon and will contribute to the Lebanese economy."

Speaking to Anadolu Agency following the ceremony -- which was also attended by MEA's chief, Mohamad El-Hout -- Turkish Airline's CEO Bilal Eksi said passengers would be able to use the services of both carriers.

Turkish Airlines flies to 116 countries, more than any other airline.

Referring about Istanbul's third airport, which is currently under construction, Ambassador Erciyes said: "The starting-up of this airport will be beneficial not only for Turkish Airlines but also for MEA."

Istanbul's third airport will host 2,000 flights a day and over 100 million passengers annually via 250 airlines when the first phase of construction is completed in early 2018.