Turkish Airlines has launched its inaugural flight to Phuket, which becomes the carrier’s 300th destination worldwide.

The new route commenced on 17 July and will now operate four times a week, using a two-class Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

Flights will depart Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport every Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 1430 and arrive in Phuket at 0400 the next morning. The return services will then take off from the Thai resort island at 0530 and land back in Istanbul at 1200.

“Turkish Airlines is excited to be bringing more value and connectivity to its passengers through its ever expanding network. As an… airline that invites people to explore the beauties of our world, it was a natural choice for us to decide on Phuket as our next destination,” Turkish Airlines’ deputy chairman & CEO, Bilal Eksi, said at the launch ceremony.

Phuket becomes the airline’s second destination in Thailand after Bangkok.