BY AYSEL YUCEL
UPS Turkey, the U.S.-based cargo giant UPS’ Turkey subsidiary, aims to make Istanbul an air hub, according to Engin Kolat, Country Manager of UPS Turkey.
“Istanbul can potentially be the second air hub in Europe after Cologne. As the UPS Turkey team, we have focused on achieving that,” Kolat said.
UPS is among the first companies that relocated to the Istanbul Airport.
“Turkey is at the heart of the northsouth and east-west axis. That strategic location gradually becomes important. It can be a country which consolidates all cargos of Europe to East, South or West and feeds that locally,” Kolat added.
Turkey has been a link between the East and West for UPS.
“Now, it has become a critical central base between north and south and connections in Africa and the Caucasus within the UPS organization. Turkey’s position has strengthened a little bit more,” he noted.
Turkey’s potential rose by 40% in export transportation.
“Being part of a big network has provided incredible flexibility,” the UPS Turkey Country Manager said.
Turkey has been one of the top five largest markets of UPS in Europe with its business volume.
UPS has invested over USD 2bn in its European Region, where Turkey is included.
UPS Turkey currently operates in 81 provinces with over 2,000 employees. The company plans to grow further with new investments.