Turkish Airlines (TK), headquartered in Istanbul Airport, has unveiled ambitious plans to bolster Türkiye’s aeronautical industry and alleviate global supply chain bottlenecks. Bloomberg reports that the national carrier intends to amplify its aircraft component manufacturing arm, with a strategic focus on selling parts to other airlines. Moreover, Turkish Airlines aims to forge a partnership with Boeing, the American aerospace giant, to domestically produce select seats and engine components.
Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of Turkish Airlines, underscores the mutual benefits of a prospective collaboration with Boeing. Bolat emphasizes that Boeing could leverage Türkiye’s burgeoning manufacturing capacity, thereby ensuring a reliable source of supply amid industry-wide delays and the prolonged utilization of aging aircraft models.
Negotiations between Turkish Airlines and Boeing are reportedly underway for a significant aircraft order, a development that has been the subject of speculation for several months. This speculation intensified following Turkish Airlines’ landmark agreement with Airbus in December 2023, which entailed a purchase of 220 Airbus aircraft, along with 115 options.
During the annual investor call earlier this year, Chief Financial Officer Murat Şeker reiterated the airline’s commitment to fleet modernization and strategic growth. Şeker highlighted the significance of ongoing discussions with Boeing, emphasizing their potential to fortify Turkish Airlines’ expansion endeavors.
Currently, Turkish Airlines boasts outstanding orders for 292 aircraft, comprising a diverse array of models, including 194 A321-200NX, fifteen A350-1000s, seventy-one A350-900s, five A350Fs, and seven B787-9s.
While negotiations with Boeing progress, Turkish Airlines faces hurdles in reaching an agreement with engine manufacturer CFM International. The contentious issue reportedly revolves around pricing, as reported by Swiss aviation news outlet AeroTELEGRAPH.
Furthermore, Turkish Airlines’ recent order of the A350 precludes immediate consideration of the B777X. Nonetheless, the carrier remains receptive to integrating this widebody aircraft type into its fleet in the future, underscoring its commitment to adaptability and strategic growth.
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