Turkish Airlines has committed to widebody aircraft orders with Boeing and Airbus which will significantly boost its belly capacity.
The carrier has made 50 firm orders and penned 10 options, as part of a total of 60 widebody aircraft, of which six to be delivered in 2019, 14 in 2020, 10 in 2021, 12 in 2012, 11 in 2023 and seven in 2024.
This order comprises of 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, of which 25 are firm and five are options, and cargo-friendly 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, of which 25 are firm and five are options will be purchased from Airbus.
Turkish Airlines signed an MoU with Airbus last January for widebody aircraft and also in September last year with Boeing for 787-9 Dreamliners.
Turkish Airlines chairman of the board and executive committee, İlker Aycı said: “Today, we’re pleased to conclude this process which will bring a landmark benefit not only to Turkish Airlines, but also to Turkey’s aviation, by firmly ordering these aircraft to be added to our ever-expanding fleet.
“Goodwill agreements turned into firm orders; which we consider to be a very important initiative to meet our need for widebody aircraft at Istanbul’s New Airport, which will serve as our new hub once its construction process completed.
“This great step, which will further strengthen our ever-expanding fleet for 2023, our Republic’s 100th year, and bring our passenger’s satisfaction to a much higher level will bring a great acceleration to the steady rise of our country’s flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, and will also be a considerable added value for Turkish Civil Aviation.”
