Turkish Airlines has announced a significant order for 225 Boeing aircraft, coinciding with recent talks between Turkish President Erdogan and U.S. President Trump regarding sanctions and military trade.
Turkish Airlines revealed on Friday that it has placed an order for 75 Boeing 787 aircraft and successfully finalized negotiations to acquire 150 737 MAX planes, contingent upon discussions regarding engines. This announcement follows a pivotal meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump, marking their first face-to-face interaction since 2019. The two-hour discussion has raised expectations in Ankara regarding the potential lifting of U.S. sanctions, which would facilitate Turkey’s ability to purchase American F-35 fighter jets.
In a statement released on Friday, Turkish Airlines emphasized that these orders are part of a broader strategy to modernize its fleet, aiming for an entirely new-generation aircraft lineup by 2035. This initiative is expected to enhance operational efficiency and support an average annual growth rate of approximately 6%. The groundwork for this deal has been laid over an extended period, with the airline’s chairman first hinting at the planned purchase back in June 2024.
In addition to its aircraft orders, Turkish Airlines has also made strategic moves to expand its global presence, including a recent acquisition of a minority stake in Spain’s Air Europa. This investment allowed the airline to outmaneuver European competitors such as Lufthansa and Air France-KLM. The company disclosed to the Istanbul Stock Exchange that it has committed to purchasing 75 wide-body B787-9 and B787-10 models from Boeing, comprising 50 firm orders and 25 options. Deliveries for these aircraft are expected to take place between 2029 and 2034. Ongoing negotiations with Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace are focused on securing engines, spare engines, and maintenance services for the new planes.
According to its strategic plan for 2023-2033, Turkish Airlines aims to expand its fleet to over 800 aircraft by the year 2033. As of June 2023, the airline operated 485 aircraft, as indicated in its latest presentation. Earlier in May 2023, Turkish Airlines announced that it had initiated discussions with manufacturers to procure around 600 additional aircraft, following a substantial order for 355 Airbus planes placed in December 2023.
The recent meeting between Trump and Erdogan was highly anticipated, particularly as Turkey seeks to have sanctions lifted to facilitate military aircraft trade with the United States. Turkey was previously removed from a program that allowed the U.S. to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets during Trump’s first term, primarily due to concerns that Turkey’s use of Russian technology could compromise U.S. military data security. Trump suggested on Thursday that he might consider lifting these sanctions if the meeting with Erdogan proved successful.
During their discussions, the two leaders also addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the potential for a ceasefire. Additionally, they touched on the Russia-Ukraine war, with Trump urging Erdogan to halt any oil purchases from Russia while the country continues its military actions against Ukraine. Trump acknowledged Erdogan’s efforts in facilitating sanctions relief in Syria and commended his role in the removal of former Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.
As Turkish Airlines moves forward with its ambitious expansion plans, the outcome of the Erdogan-Trump meeting may significantly influence the airline’s future operations and its relationship with the United States.
Source: Original article