ISTANBUL

Turkey's flag carrier Turkish Airlines will beef up its flight destinations in Canada by launching flights to Vancouver, in addition to Montreal and Toronto.

Service on the Istanbul-Vancouver route will start on June 9, offered three times a week, the airline said in a press release on Tuesday.

The carrier started to fly to Toronto in 2009 and Montreal in 2014. Vancouver will also be the carrier's 15th destination in North America.

"Introductory round-trip ticket fares from Istanbul to Vancouver will start at $645 with all taxes included," the firm said.

Ilker Ayci, Turkish Airlines' chairman, said: "As one of our primary area of operations, our performance on the American continent is certainly a net positive for us."

Turkish Airlines, established in 1933, currently flies to 319 international and domestic destinations.