Turkish Airlines to Expand West Africa Network with New Flights to Bissau

Turkish Airlines is set to broaden its presence in West Africa by adding Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, to its growing route network. While flight dates, frequencies, and aircraft details are yet to be confirmed, the airline’s board of directors has approved the launch, contingent on market conditions and operational availability.

The move would mark Turkish Airlines’ 20th destination in Central and West Africa, strengthening its position as a leading global carrier in the region. The airline already serves 19 cities across 15 countries, including major hubs like Abidjan, Accra, Conakry, Dakar, and Lagos.

Growing Capacity to Meet Demand
Currently, Turkish Airlines offers over 31,500 weekly seats to West Africa, up from 27,096 a year ago and 29,260 in 2019 before the pandemic. The increase reflects rising demand, especially in destinations like Ouagadougou, Bamako, and Banjul.

Guinea-Bissau Market Overview
Guinea-Bissau remains a small but developing aviation market, with 3,415 weekly departure seats, all international. Major carriers in the region include:

Royal Air Maroc – 29%
ASKY Airlines – 28.2%
TAP Air Portugal – 17.4%
Air Côte d’Ivoire – 16%
EuroAtlantic Airways – 9.4%

Currently, Lisbon is the only European gateway from Bissau, with additional African connections to Abidjan, Casablanca, Dakar, Lomé, and Praia. Turkish Airlines’ direct service to Istanbul would provide a faster, more efficient option for travelers and could capture regional traffic that currently relies on indirect routes.

Strategic Importance
The new route is expected to enhance connectivity between Guinea-Bissau and global destinations, making it easier for passengers to reach Turkey, Europe, and beyond. It also opens potential for regional travel, offering a quicker alternative to the overland journey between Bissau and Conakry, Guinea, which currently takes more than 12 hours.

This expansion is part of Turkish Airlines’ continued African growth strategy, positioning the airline as a key player in a market with rising demand for air travel.