- Boeing close to finalising Turkish Airlines order for 150 737 MAX jets
- Deal comprises 100 firm orders and 50 options
- Order previously stalled over CFM International negotiations
- Could be signed during UN General Assembly in New York
- Turkish Airlines targets fleet of 800 aircraft by 2033
Turkish Airlines has finalised an agreement with Boeing for up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft marking another significant step in its long-term growth strategy. The agreement will be the flag carrier’s largest ever Boeing single-aisle aircraft order and will support its fleet expansion strategy while strengthening its short and medium-haul network. The order comprises 100 firm Boeing 737-8 aircraft and options for an additional 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The agreement also includes substitution rights for the Boeing 737-10 the largest member of the 737 MAX family providing Turkish Airlines with greater flexibility to align capacity with growing passenger demand.
The agreement for the 737 MAX order was finalised in the presence of His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan President of the Republic of Türkiye. Prof Murat Şeker, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, shared that this agreement marks another significant step in the continued expansion of the airline’s fleet. The new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will bring greater efficiency and flexibility to its operations supporting the extensive network it serves from its hub in Istanbul. Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, shared that this order reflects the trust and shared vision that have defined the longstanding partnership with Turkish Airlines.
The new aircraft will strengthen the flag carrier’s short and medium-haul operations particularly on high-demand domestic and international routes. The Boeing 737-8’s range payload flexibility along with 20pc reduced emissions and fuel consumption will support the flag carrier’s evolving operational requirements as it continues to expand its fleet and network. Turkish Airlines including AJet currently operates more than 200 Boeing aircraft consisting of the 737 MAX 737 Next-Generation 787 Dreamliner 777 and 777 Freighter.
The 737 MAX portion stalled due to a breakdown in negotiations between Turkish Airlines and CFM International, the exclusive engine manufacturer for the MAX family. The primary roadblocks involved disagreements over who would bear the risk for long-term repairs, spare-parts pricing and engine maintenance terms. Turkish Airlines also wanted to establish its own Premier tier maintenance plant to gain accelerated access to CFM’s latest repair technologies. Frustrated by the impasse Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat threatened to walk away from Boeing entirely and switch the single-aisle order to Airbus A320neo family jets.
Murat Şeker, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, shared: “This agreement marks another significant step in the continued expansion of our fleet. The new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will bring greater efficiency and flexibility to our operations, supporting the extensive network we serve from our hub in Istanbul. We are pleased to build on our longstanding cooperation with Boeing through an agreement that also supports Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem.”
Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, shared: “This order reflects the trust and shared vision that have defined our long-standing partnership with Turkish Airlines. We’re proud to continue our support of Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem and Turkish Airlines as it grows its Istanbul-based network, connecting more people and destinations worldwide.”
