TURKISH Airlines start their new service from Manchester Airport on Sunday.

The three times a week scheduled service will arrive in Manchester on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 11am for a 12 noon departure to Istanbul which arrives at 6.15pm local time.

Mr Geoff Muirhead, Manchester Airport's Chief Executive, said: "I am delighted that Turkish Airlines have reintroduced their Manchester to Istanbul operation after a break of two years.

"This service is timed to link in with Turkish's expanded network of onward connecting flights to Central Asia, Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, the Far East, North and South Africa.

He said the service had the potential to help further development of business links between the north and midlands and Turkish industries.

He expected it would also prove popular with leisure passengers looking for weekend/city breaks in Istanbul.

Mr Yavuz Sokmen, Turkish Airlines' UK and Ireland Director, said: "Nearly half a million passengers visited Turkey from Manchester Airport in 1996 and we expect this number of visitors to grow significantly."

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