A codeshare agreement between Air Malta and Turkish Airlines will result in more flights to Istanbul.

The codeshare agreement, which comes into force next month, is expected to pave the way for further cooperation between the two airlines in the near future.

Air Malta's chief commercial officer Brock Friesen explained that the airline has been operating to Istanbul since November 1993. Since then, the airline has seen "progress but not growth". At present, it operates twice a week to Istanbul and the frequency is expected to increase to a minimum of three per week once the codeshare agreement comes into force.

Dr Freisen described the agreement as an opportunity not only for Air Malta but for Malta as a tourist destination. Air Malta will be making full use of the network of Turkish Airlines and will be tapping leisure travel to and from Istanbul as well as other destinations in Turkey.

The agreement allows Turkish Airlines to use their own flight numbers on services operated by Air Malta and passengers will avail themselves of a broader choice of connections that will be developed via Istanbul.

"The signing of this agreement is yet another milestone for Air Malta. Air Malta is rapidly enhancing its range of codeshare partners on specific routes with quality airlines, increasing and improving its destination network. This agreement will give passengers full service treatment, seamless travel arrangements and enhanced network connections," he said.

Dr Freisen said Air Malta is planning to enhance its network connections beyond Istanbul through Turkish Airlines' extended route network in Asia, the Far East, the Middle East and the Commonwealth Independent States.

Turkish Airlines' executive vice president commercial, Orhan Sivrikaya, said that extending the relationship with Air Malta is another step in his company's efforts to develop cooperation with the leading airlines throughout the world.

Turkish Airlines was sure that the partnership with the national airline of a country in the central part of Europe and the Mediterranean will bring additional benefits for both airlines, especially through Air Malta's network in the Mediterranean region.

Turkish Airlines is this year celebrating its 75th anniversary while Air Malta is celebrating its 35th anniversary.