Pegasus Airlines has expanded its UK operations this summer, launching the trio of new routes connecting British airports with Turkish destinations.

The budget carrier has introduced services from London Stansted to Gaziantep and Kayseri, whilst also establishing its first Scottish route between Edinburgh and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen.

The expansion, which has just come into effect, provides British travellers with direct access to Turkey's culinary capital and the scenic Cappadocia region.

The new services mark a notable increase in Pegasus's UK presence, offering competitively priced connections to destinations previously underserved by direct flights from Britain.

Flights to Gaziantep will operate weeklyGETTY

The London Stansted to Gaziantep service is running now, operating once weekly with Saturday departures at 8.40pm and Sunday returns at 4:20am. Fares begin at £54 one-way including taxes.

Gaziantep holds UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status, renowned for its pistachio baklava and kebabs. The southern Turkish city features aromatic spice bazaars, the world's largest mosaic museum, and a 12-towered hilltop castle overlooking the urban landscape.

The route provides direct access to what is widely recognised as Turkey's culinary capital, previously requiring connections through other airports for UK travellers seeking to explore this gastronomic destination.

The Stansted to Kayseri route took its first flight last week, and will provide weekly Wednesday departures at 8:40pm with Thursday returns at 4:30am. One-way fares start from £84 including taxes.

This service offers direct access to Kayseri Airport, the gateway to Cappadocia's UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Central Anatolia region features underground churches carved into pink rock formations and the Göreme Open-Air Museum, amongst Turkey's first UNESCO sites.

The area's fairy-tale landscapes are best viewed from hot air balloons during sunrise flights. The Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Festival, scheduled for August 7 to 10, will see hundreds of balloons launching at dawn.

Edinburgh Airport welcomed Pegasus Airlines for the first time on June 27, with the carrier operating year-round flights to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen on Thursdays and Sundays using A320neo/A321neo aircraft.

Chief commercial officer (Aero) at Edinburgh Airport Kate Sherry said: "We're really excited to welcome Pegasus to Edinburgh this summer and see another new airline spread its wings in Scotland.

More flights will go from the UK to Istanbul

"Passengers are always looking for choice, and by offering another connection to Istanbul, one of the most fascinating cities in the world, we are making their travel as easy and as smooth as possible."

Pegasus Airlines' chief commercial officer Onur Dedeköylü added: "We are delighted to be launching new regular scheduled flights connecting Istanbul and Edinburgh as the summer season starts. Pegasus Airlines is proud to connect such vibrant and popular destinations, offering a unique experience to all who fly with us."

For more flights going to Turkey, new routes will connect the UK to a Turkish city that pairs culture with picturesque beaches.

Last week, another budget airline announced new flights from the UK to the incredible Turkish Riviera.