Turkish Airlines is planning to increase its services between Birmingham Airport and Istanbul to twice daily, according to a report by Birmingham Post.
The airline has announced that it will move from 12 flights a week to double daily from the end of May. Initially, flights will increase to 13 per week from March 27 and then to double daily from May 30. The double daily service will add more than 600 extra seats a week, offering both business and leisure travellers increased flexibility and choices.
Selim Ozturk, general manager for Turkish Airlines in Birmingham, said: ‘Birmingham Airport is a hugely successful base for us and we have grown significantly over the past eight years.
‘This double daily announcement gives passengers even more choice and, with 283 onward destinations via Istanbul throughout the Middle East, the Far East and Africa, Birmingham Airport really is the gateway to the world with our award winning airline.’
Birmingham Airport chief executive Paul Kehoe added: ‘Turkish Airlines is a fantastic carrier and partner to have here at Birmingham Airport.
‘Starting eight years ago, the service has gone from strength to strength carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers.
‘The Turkish Airlines in-flight product is award winning and extremely popular which is demonstrated by more and more people choosing to experience the service, reliability and affordability it offers.
‘I congratulate the Turkish Airlines team on doing a great job here in the region and increasing passenger numbers year-on-year, and for further committing to Birmingham Airport.’
Turkish Airlines started its Birmingham Airport – Istanbul service with five flights a week in December 2008, and later increased the number of flights to seven weekly departures in January 2012. Later that year, the service was increased to ten flights per week and in December 2014 the airport announced the programme would expand to 12 weekly flights.