I read that Turkish Airlines is going to start a direct flight from Birmingham to Istanbul. Are they a bit shoddy safety and service-wise? Could you tell me if I am safe to book with them? Daniel Barrowclough, Sollihil

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: It's true that Turkish Airlines did have something of a name for itself for delays and poor service, but the carrier has spent considerable money and effort improving the situation.

Since last October though, Skytrax has increased the airline's ranking from a three star to a four star carrier. The ranking is arrived at after rigorous quality inspection and evaluation and is a pretty big deal in the airline and travel industry. A four-star status puts Turkish on par with carriers like British Airways, Emirates, and Air New Zealand.

Turkish Airlines has 109 aircraft, with an average age, according to Air Fleets of 6.9 years ­ compared to 15.7 years from Olympic Airlines, 9 years for Air France, or 11.4 for British Airways.

The Turkish flag carrier is also a member of Star Alliance.

The airline plans to build up its hub in Istanbul rather as the Gulf airlines have done, to encourage far more people to make connecting flights in Istanbul. Already there are easy connections via Istanbul to the Far East, Central Asian, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The new Turkish Airlines (0844 800 6666) flights - nonstop flights from Birmingham International to Istanbul from December 15, 2008 ­ will have return fares from £180. The airline already flies to Istanbul from Heathrow and Manchester.

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