Turkish Airlines Boosts Frequency to Birmingham

Turkish Airlines (THY) is to increase the frequency of its flights between Istanbul and Birmingham as part of a wider network expansion across the UK. The carrier will boost its links between the two cities from five times weekly to a daily schedule from March 25, 2012. The route will continue to be served by a mix of Airbus A320 Family and Next-Generation Boeing 737 short-haul equipment.

THY says forward bookings on the route are strong, especially those for passengers flying with onward connecting services to the Middle East, Far East and Africa, with the airline describing demand to these destinations, via Istanbul, as “outstanding”.

The enhanced schedule will give business travellers better choice and flexibility and will enhance onward connectivity from Istanbul from passengers commencing their journeys in the UK.

“Turkish Airlines began services from Birmingham in 2008 and has offered a vital service for Birmingham and the Midlands, whilst increasing passenger numbers year by year,” said Martyn Lloyd, Head of Air Service Development, Birmingham Airport. “However, business travellers need both choice and flexibility and we have worked in partnership with Turkish Airlines to secure a daily service from the end of March. We’re therefore delighted with this development to give our business and leisure community even more choice for long-haul connectivity from Birmingham.”

This latest expansion follows just a week after THY confirmed a 40 per cent growth in capacity at Manchester as it introduces an additional three weekly rotations on its route from Istanbul. The carrier currently offers a daily service between the cities but will add two further rotations from March 25, 2012 and a tenth flight from May 28, 2012. THY is currently the sole operator on the route and has served Manchester since 1993, although UK low-fare carrier Jet2.com is due to launch a twice weekly service from mid-March.