Turkish Airlines is planning to launch two weekly flights between Istanbul and Lusaka from December 13.

According to Lusaka Times, the announcement was made following a meeting between Zambia’s Ambassador to Turkey, Dr Joseph Chilengi and Turkish Airlines CEO, Bilal Eksi, in Istanbul last week.

The airline will service Lusaka via Dar es Salaam with flights arriving in Zambia on Mondays and Thursdays, departing on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Eksi said he hoped to gradually increase the frequency of flights and added that the airline was also open to signing co-operation agreements with local airlines to streamline travel for its passengers. According to Eksi, the airline is sending representation to Zambia to iron out details with Zambia’s Civil Aviation Authority at the end of this month.

Chilengi said he hoped this would be a catalyst for a direct flight between the two nations, adding that this would boost trade and tourism between the two countries. He said the airline should consider working with the Zambian embassy in Turkey to disseminate information about Zambia as a potential destination for holidaymakers.