Turkish Airlines will be operating the only direct flight from London Gatwick to Ankara, Turkey, from January 9th.

Flights will depart from London Gatwick and will operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Celal Baykal, Turkish Airlines general manager, London, said: “We’ve introduced this new Turkish Airlines route in direct response to the rise in passengers looking to travel to this destination.

“This is the first time we have operated a direct flight out of London Gatwick to Ankara and see this as part of our continued growth plans.”

Flight TK1299 will depart Gatwick at 21:35 on Wednesday and Saturdays, arriving in Ankara at 04:35 the following morning.

Flight TK1300 will depart Ankara a 19:15 on Wednesdays and Saturdays, touching down at Gatwick at 20:35.

Turkish Airlines services five UK airports including London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Manchester.