TEHRAN – Three direct flights per week will connect Tabriz to Istanbul beginning February 15, the Persian service of IRNA quoted Tuesday director of Turkish Airlines (THY) Fatih Kaptan as announcing.

The flights will take place on Saturdays, Mondays and Thursdays and may allow passengers boarding in Tabriz to travel to any destination in Europe in less than two hours.

“Three years ago, we opened negotiations with Iranian officials in this regard, however, due to some existing barriers back then our initiation was not materialized.

Nevertheless, Tabriz Airport now enjoys a new domestic terminal, and the plan to build one for international flights would enhance its standards,” Kaptan stated.

Tabriz Airport, with 40 years stretch of time, is one of Iran’s major airports handling 16 domestic and foreign flights daily. Iran Air used to hold two direct flights per week from this airport to Istanbul before.

THY is a state-owned airline founded in 1930. It has been holding flights to Iran for the last 30 years, and is now the 11th largest airline company in the world moving 10 million people annually.