Emerging Turkish carrier Air Anka is accelerating its fleet expansion with the planned gradual addition of five Boeing 737-800 aircraft through financial leasing arrangements, a move designed to strengthen its operational capacity ahead of the peak summer 2026 season.
The İzmir-based airline, which began as a cargo operator in 2022 before transitioning to passenger services in 2023 and has relied on Airbus A330s alongside recent wet-leases of A320neos, announced the development on 5 February 2026 via its official LinkedIn profile. Chairman Yavuz Serkan Yazıcıoğlu highlighted the incoming narrow-body jets as a cornerstone of the carrier’s growth strategy, enabling it to shift from a primarily charter-focused model towards more scheduled passenger operations on regional and potentially leisure routes.
The Boeing 737-800s, known for their reliability, efficiency, and suitability for medium-haul flights, will complement Air Anka’s existing wide-body capacity and support increased frequencies or new destinations as demand rebounds in Turkey’s competitive aviation market. No specific delivery timelines for individual aircraft have been detailed beyond the phased introduction starting in advance of summer 2026, nor have financial specifics such as lease rates—typically ranging from several hundred thousand euro per month per aircraft—been disclosed. The decision reflects broader trends among smaller Turkish operators to deploy proven, cost-effective next-generation classics like the 737-800 to build scale without the immediate capital outlay for newer types.
Air Anka’s push comes as it positions itself for a more prominent role in domestic and international connectivity, particularly in the leisure and charter segments where Turkey remains a key player. With its Air Operator’s Certificate secured since 2022 and ongoing efforts to diversify beyond cargo and ad-hoc charters, the addition of these five jets marks a controlled step towards greater market presence amid rising competition from established players such as Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, and AJet.
