Turkish Airlines has launched its double daily services between Birmingham and Istanbul.

The move has increased the volume of seats on sale from the Midlands and provided 289 onward global connections from Istanbul.

Turkish Airlines said it had experienced a significant level of growth since it started operating from Birmingham Airport with five services a week to Istanbul in December 2008.

By increasing its frequency every year, the airline has now reached 14 flights weekly.

The airport's chief executive Paul Kehoe said: "I congratulate the Turkish Airlines team on doing a great job here in the region and increasing passenger numbers year-on-year and for further committing to Birmingham Airport and the wider region.

"Turkish Airlines is an award winning carrier and long-standing partner of ours which has gone from strength to strength, serving hundreds of thousands of passengers from our catchment."

Selim Ozturk, general manager for Birmingham with Turkish Airlines, added: "Birmingham Airport is a hugely successful base for us and we have grown significantly over the past eight years.

"This double daily announcement gives passengers even more choice."