NEW kids on the block Turkish Airlines want to further invest in South Africa and the African continent - to better connect itself and the rest of Europe to the continent.

Currently the airline operates in three African countries - Egypt and Algeria and South Africa.

Chief executive officer Temel Kotil told Sowetan during a media trip by SA journalists to the Turkish economic hub Istanbul that the airline's priority was to have direct flights to Cape Town - before the end of next month.

"Currently we have flights that come from Istanbul to OR Tambo International Airport then continue to Cape Town and that has to change. And we want direct flights from these two airports," he said.

"We also want to ensure that our passengers prefer to use Turkey to connect with other European countries as we continue to expand our network and routes internationally.

"But at the moment Africa is topping our plans."

He said that although the airline business was a tough industry Turkish Airlines had "not only survived but was also growing rapidly"

"We have now bought 14 A321-200 and six A319-100 passenger jets to meet the demand of our passengers."

The company has grown rapidly in recent years, posting a net profit of over R5billion , 327percent from 2007.

Kotil said the airline was determined to maintain their position of being the "most successful" of Europe's youngest airlines.

Reacting positively, chief director of SA Civil Aviation Anwar Ganay said they supported all initiatives of airlines to operate in the country as South Africa had an "open sky policy".

"We have a relationship with a number of airlines in the world and we will support them equally - as long as they comply with aviation policy."