Turkish Airlines, the country's national carrier, has started nonstop flights to Iraqi city of Basra from its hub in Istanbul Ataturk Airport. This is the airline’s third destination in Iraq after Baghdad and Arbil.

The debut flight (TK798), a Boeing 737/800, took off at 7am on Tuesday from Istanbul airport to the Iraqi city.

The Star Alliance member airline said it will fly twice a week - on Thursdays, and Saturdays. Also there is a plan to operate a third flight via Necef from July 5.

The Basra flight will take off from Istanbul at 3.10am and land in the Iraqi city at 6.25am, while on return the flight will depart Basrah at 8:50am and land in Istanbul at 12:15pm.

Also on Tuesday, the Turkish carrier started three weekly flights - Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays-  to Italian city of Naples.

Naples flight will take off from Istanbul at 10:30am and arrive in the Italian city at 11:55am, while on return the flight will leave Naples at 12.55pm and land in Istanbul Ataturk Airport at 4.10pm.

The airline is also planning to boost the frequency with two more flights on Wednesdays and Sundays from August 2.

The ticket rates for a Basra two-way trip have been priced at 275 euros ($388), while the Naples fare starts from 180 euros including taxes and fees for travels starting before August 31.

Established in 1933 with a fleet of only five airplanes, Turkish Airlines is today a four-star airline company with a fleet of 169 aircraft flying to 182 destinations comprising 41 domestic and 141 international destinations.-TradeArabia News Service