Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of Turkish Airlines , announced on Thursday plans to order a staggering 600 new aircraft in June. The forthcoming order, scheduled for delivery over the next decade, will bolster the company’s fleet to a robust 810 aircraft by 2033.
The order is set to comprise 400 narrow-body and 200 wide-body aircraft, marking a significant expansion of Turkish Airlines’ operations. Bolat shared this information at a press meeting to introduce the company’s revamped inflight dining concept.
Announcement Due at IATA Summit
The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) summit, slated for June 4-6 in Istanbul, is set to be the venue for the official order announcement. «During the IATA, we are going to announce orders. We are nearing the end of our discussions with one of the big manufacturers. We are going to order around 600 aircraft,» Bolat told journalists.
Boeing Likely to Secure Part of the Order
Bolat hinted at the possibility of a deal with Boeing for a portion of the 600-aircraft order. However, he refrained from providing additional details at this stage. As reported by Reuters, Bolat also indicated that the remaining part of the aircraft order may be placed with «the other manufacturer» at the Paris Air Show, also taking place in June.
Stability Expected Despite Upcoming Elections
In the light of the imminent landmark elections on May 14, Bolat expressed confidence in the continuity of the company’s top management. He anticipates that the same leadership will steer Turkish Airlines through its ambitious 10-year growth plan, ensuring the successful execution of the large aircraft order.
