January 31, 2012 (Los Angeles, CA)—The numbers are in and Hermes Aviation, Inc., one of the largest and most established Cargo General Sales Agents in North America and Mexico, helped Turkish Airlines in the United States post a record 124% increase in cargo bookings for 2011 as compared to 2010. Globally, Turkish boosted its cargo volumes by nearly 25% in a year when there was an overall decrease in air cargo volumes worldwide. In addition to boosting overall cargo volumes, Hermes also grew transit cargo in the U.S. from 23% in 2010 to 35% in 2011. Turkish Airlines serves 21 cities in the U.S.

“I am extremely pleased that our sales efforts have made such a strong and immediate impact for Turkish Airlines. Our GSA sales team is among the very best in the industry. We are proud to represent a number of the world’s most prominent airlines in helping them fill the bellies of their passenger flights as well as their freighters,” said Clive Langeveldt, Executive Vice President of Hermes Aviation. Hermes took over GSA duties for Turkish Airlines in May of 2011 and immediately expanded its sales force in existing offices in the four gateway cities served by Turkish, as well as establishing a dedicated U.S. sales office in JFK exclusively for Turkish sales.

Turkish Airlines operates a fleet of six cargo and 169 passenger airplanes, with an average age of six years. The airline has the youngest fleet in Europe and plans to have 200 aircraft by the end of 2012.

“Hermes is a shining star in the Mercury crown,” said Joseph A. Czyzyk, Chairman & CEO of Mercury Air Group, Inc., the parent company of Hermes Aviation, adding, “The work Hermes has done for Turkish Airlines in such a short period of time speaks volumes about their capabilities as a GSA.”

Hermes Aviation, Inc., founded in 1991, acts as an extension of the air carrier as its cargo general sales agent by providing market identity in on-line and off-line territories. Committed to providing airlines with experienced and respected sales representatives, Hermes reduces an airline’s overhead costs and produces significant cargo revenue. As an outsource solution in the industry, Hermes provides clients with reduced administration and marketing costs. Hermes is also a certified participant of the IATA General Sales & Service Agent Program and an active member of the Federation of Airline General Sales Agents.