Turkish Airlines announced that it would raise employee wages amid a strike by the company's main union, though the spat between union and management may continue after management said it wouldn't engage in further talks over employee contracts. The company announced that its employees would see an increase of 8.1% in 2013 and of 6.1% in 2014. The decision came after the company failed to reach an agreement with the Turkish Civil Aviation Union (Hava-Is), a union that represents about 14,000 of the company's 15,600 staff members, and decided that it would withdraw from negotiations altogether earlier this week. The strike, which began on May 15 and so far hasn't caused major disruptions in the carrier's operations, largely because THY's cabin crew and pilots unions decided not to join the strike. Hava-Is is looking for a 10% raise in wages this year and has also demanded the rehiring of 305 employees who were sacked during a brief strike last year.

Turkish Airlines has added Houston to its growing Middle East network with flights launched, the 220th destination to the country-network for an airline worldwide. Houston is Turkish Airlines' fifth destination in America and the latest in a series of new routes added to the fast growing international network of 98 countries, all connecting Middle East travellers to more countries than any other airline.

Türk Hava Yollari A.O. announced that the company is expanding its presence in the United States. The company marks the launch of its newest gateway in Houston, Texas. Houston becomes the fifth U.S. gateway, joining Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C. The airline will offer non-stop flights from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport (IST). Houstonites will be able to experience firsthand the company's unparalleled service, gourmet cuisine and amenities on the Boeing-777 aircraft en route to Istanbul. Houston service of the company will start with four frequencies per week: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Beginning from July 3, 2013, the weekly frequencies of the mentioned flights will increase to six: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This new route positions Texas with a new strategic advantage for international commerce since more than 300 Houston companies have business or trade ties with Turkey.