Turkish Airlines has made a momentous stride in its expansion plans, revealing the acquisition of an impressive fleet of 355 cutting-edge Airbus aircraft. This significant investment encompasses 250 of the highly sought-after A321s and 105 of the remarkably efficient A350 widebody aircraft. Among these, 60 firm orders, 20 purchase rights for A350-900s, 15 firm orders for A350-1000s, and 5 firm orders along with 5 purchase rights for A350-Freighters are included.
This strategic move underscores Turkish Airlines’ steadfast commitment to bolstering operational efficiency, prioritising environmental stewardship, and elevating passenger comfort. The incorporation of these state-of-the-art aircraft aligns seamlessly with the airline’s vision to maintain its leadership in the aviation industry while fostering sustainable growth.
In line with this significant fleet expansion, Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier of Türkiye, plans to continue to reinforce its status as an airline with one of the world’s most comprehensive flight networks. The addition of these Airbus aircraft will further enhance the airline’s ability to connect Türkiye to the farthest corners of the globe, offering its passengers even more destinations and travel options while maintaining the highest standards of service and connectivity that Turkish Airlines is renowned for.
“This landmark order is more than an expansion; it’s a testament to our dedication to innovation, operational excellence, and a sustainable future. The addition of these advanced Airbus aircraft to our fleet will not only enhance our operational capabilities but also significantly contribute to our environmental goals. This investment is a crucial milestone in the further evolution of Türkiye’s aviation industry. By modernizing our fleet with more efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft, we are reinforcing our leading position in global aviation and contributing to the nation’s prominence as an aviation hub,” said Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat.
Discussing growth, challenges, and opportunities during a fireside chat in ET Travel & Tourism Conclave, Akasa Air’s CCO & Co Founder, Praveen Iyer emphasised leveraging the nation’s top-tier service and potential. He said that despite pandemic induced slowdown, India’s aviation sector rebounded with record passengers. Iyer underscored infrastructure and tech advancements as pivotal tools while also sharing Akasa’s growth story and international expansion plans on the sidelines.
“Furthermore, this expansion will also have a considerable positive impact on Türkiye’s tourism sector. Enhanced flight operations and increased connectivity, thanks to these state-of-the-art aircraft, will attract more international tourists, boosting the tourism economy. This will not only showcase Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty to a wider audience but also support the overall growth of the country. With our home base in Istanbul, which straddles continents, we continue our mission of bridging people from all over the world. These new aircraft are not just a step forward for Turkish Airlines but represent a leap forward for the broader aviation and tourism industries in Türkiye, guiding us towards an even brighter future.”“This order for the latest generation aircraft is a demonstration of the bold vision by Turkish Airlines. The A350-900, A350-1000, A350F and A321 will all be flagship aircraft in their respective category and efficiency drivers to shape the airline’s future and sustainable expansion, with more range, less fuel, noise and emissions and best cabin in class. The opening into the A350-1000 and the A350F highlights the cross- model value of the A350 family and reinforces our long-lasting partnership with Turkish Airlines and Türkiye’s aviation sector overall and we are proud to accompany Turkey‘s connection to the world with our state-of-the-art aircraft,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International.Both aircraft types incorporate advanced technologies, achieving remarkable improvements in fuel burn, operating costs, CO2 emissions, and noise reduction, underscoring Turkish Airlines’ commitment to sustainability and passenger comfort.
