Samarkand has been added to the flight network of Turkish Airlines and becomes the 302nd destination offered by the carrier.

Samarkand, founded on the Silk Road and is one of the most important transportation lines of world trade for centuries, has become the second destination of Turkish Airlines to be operated in Uzbekistan - after capital city Tashkent.

The city was recently added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

Turkish Airlines chief executive Bilal Ekşi said: “We have launched flights to Samarkand, one of the most important cities of our civilization and is on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. 

“It will be able to fly to Samarkand from 121 countries, through direct flights that we launched.

“I believe that this pearl city which hosts the madrasahs, mosques, museums, tombs, observatory and architectural masterpieces, will progress in tourism in a short time.

“Also, we are glad to serve this city that is the eternal resting place for historical figures and scholars.

“We are proud to be making stronger ties between two brother countries by operating our flights since 1992.”

He added: “I believe that the air transportation agreement, which was renewed this week , will strengthen the airline bridge between two countries, and provide that we fly to more destinations with more frequencies.

“I would like to express thanks to the esteemed administrators of Uzbekistan.”

Istanbul-Samarkand flights will be operated two times per week in both directions.

Aqaba

The Turkish flag-carrier also recently announced it is launching flights to Aqaba, Jordan.

The coastal city will become the 303rd destination served by the airline and marks another important step in its ambitious global expansion.

Turkey’s national carrier will offer three flights per week to Aqaba, with the first flight taking off today.

It is the second city in Jordan to be serviced by Turkish Airlines, after Amman.