Dhaka: Turkish Airlines announces its plans to introduce its 13^th gateway to the United States of America with Detroit.

With three flights per week, the carrier will facilitate operations between Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Istanbul International Airport (IST) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with its state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

The new move offers passengers heading from Detroit the opportunity to connect to the carrier's extensive network, to over 340 destinations in 129, across five continents, such as 75 onward connections into Asia, or 55 to Africa.

Flight numbers TK205 / 206 have been granted for the flights and will operate as: TK205, departing Istanbul at 15:45, touching down in Detroit the same at 18:50, and TK206, returning from Detroit at 21:35, landing back in Istanbul the following day at 15:35.

The airline’s current US gateways are Atlanta, Washington DC, New York, Newark, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

About the new development, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof Dr Ahmet Bolat, said, “It’s exciting to open another gateway in the Midwest region, connecting travellers from neighbouring areas through the bustling hub of Detroit. As flights from Detroit Metropolitan Airport take off this fall, we warmly welcome travellers to explore Istanbul and beyond.”

The Star Alliance member will also entice passengers looking to connect with the carrier to stop and smell the roses of Istanbul with its popular stopover programme, enabling economy class passengers up to two nights and business class for up to three, at no cost. It encourages passengers to explore the sights of the country's largest city, which straddles two continents.