Confirming the earlier reports last month, Turkish Airlines has announced plans to order 600 new aircraft, with part of the order being optional. The airline's chairman, Ilker Ayci, said, during IATA event (AGM) in Istanbul, that the order was part of a long-term strategy to expand Turkish Airlines' fleet and network.
The order includes 200 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 400 narrow-body aircraft, which could be either Boeing 737 MAX or Airbus A320neo-family aircraft. Ayci said that the airline would make a final decision on the type of narrow-body aircraft after evaluating the performance of both models.
The order is worth an estimated $200 billion at list prices, but Turkish Airlines is expected to negotiate discounts. The delivery of the new aircraft is scheduled to begin in 2023 and continue through 2028.
Why Turkish Airlines needs this massive order?
There are a number of reasons why Turkish Airlines is ordering 600 new aircraft.
- To Expand its Fleet: Turkish Airlines currently has a fleet of 300 aircraft, which is the largest in Europe. However, the airline is planning to expand its network to more than 350 destinations by 2025. In order to serve these new destinations, Turkish Airlines needs to increase its fleet size.
- To Replace Older Aircraft: Turkish Airlines has a number of older aircraft in its fleet, which are becoming more expensive to operate. By replacing these older aircraft with new, more fuel-efficient aircraft, Turkish Airlines can save money on fuel costs.
- To Improve Its Customer Experience: Turkish Airlines is known for its excellent customer service. The airline wants to continue to improve its customer experience by providing its passengers with the latest aircraft technology and amenities.