Turkey's national flag carrier resumed flights to the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday after a break of nearly 13 years, state news agency Anadolu reported. A plane with 349 passengers took off from Istanbul International Airport for Damascus on Thursday morning in first such flight since April 2012,

The first Turkish Airlines flight in 13 years landed in the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday, an AFP correspondent reported. "The first Turkish Airlines passenger plane landed at Damascus International Airport after a hiatus of some 13 years,

Turkish Airlines has announced an intention to start direct flights from its Istanbul base to Auckland and Minneapolis later in 2025.

After Turkish Airlines began flying to Denver in June 2024, it stated that it would be adding Minneapolis, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Orlando to its list of US destinations. In December of last year, Turkish Airlines also operated its first flight to Santiago de Chile via São Paulo, which was the carrier's longest route.

"Turkish delight on a moonlit night" in Istanbul may soon be just one flight away from Minnesota. Driving the news: Turkish Airlines' chairman said this week that a new route between MSP and Istanbul could begin as early as April or May.

Officials say that Turkish Airlines will resume its flights to Damascus, Syria, next week after a halt of more than a decade.

Turkish Airlines — one of the world’s biggest carriers — is eyeing New Zealand for flights, according to a report from Turkey.

It has not provided any further details but chairman Ahmet Bolat announced plans to launch services to Minneapolis in April or May this year and also to Auckland, Turkish website Turizm ekonomi reported.