The ferry service has been launched by HADO, a company owned by the Municipality of Hatay, after securing international permissions, four years of work and a presidential decree for the star of the service.

For those services, HADO has leased a ferry from the sea bus and fast ferry company of Istanbul, İDO.

With the ferry services to Turkish Cyprus, Hatay has become the first municipality to conduct such international transport service, according to Bülent Ok, deputy secretary-general at the municipality.

Ok expects a large number of visitors from Turkish Cyprus to Hatay, which is famous for its cuisine.

The ticket for regular passengers for the 140-mile-long trip between Hatay to Turkish Cyprus is 750 Turkish Liras (around $47) and 500 liras for students.

Ferry services will be held twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays from Hatay to Girne and on Thursdays and Sundays from Girne to Hatay. Tickets are available on HADO’s website.