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Turkish Airlines is likely to finalize an agreement with Boeing for the purchase of 250 aircraft during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s upcoming visit to the United States, company chairman Ahmet Bolat confirmed.
"Talks with Boeing and Airbus are always on the table," Bolat told business-focused ekonomim.com during his flight to New York on Sunday, adding that both manufacturers have faced difficulties keeping up with global demand.
The potential deal would support Turkish Airlines’ long-term growth plan, which aims to expand its fleet to 813 aircraft by 2033, Bolat explained as the main reason for the deal.
The airline expects to carry 171 million passengers annually by that year, and cargo volumes are projected to rise to 3.9 million tons in 2033.
Bolat has framed this transformation with the slogan "From Boutique to Summit," reflecting the company’s journey since 2003, when its fleet stood at 65 aircraft and annual revenue was $1.8 billion.
Revenue for 2033 is projected to reach $52.2 billion, while Turkish Airlines’ contribution to Türkiye’s economy is expected to climb to $144 billion.
Although negotiations with Boeing are advancing, Turkish Airlines continues to hold substantial orders with Airbus. The carrier has 355 aircraft on order from the European manufacturer, based on agreements signed in previous years.
Bolat confirmed these commitments remain part of the airline’s future plans. Turkish Airlines currently operates a mixed fleet of 387 Boeing and Airbus aircraft, serving over 340 destinations worldwide.
Alongside fleet expansion, Turkish Airlines is investing in seat design through its joint venture, Turkish Seat Industry (TSI).
Bolat noted that business-class seating has reached an advanced stage of development but is subject to long testing and certification processes.
"These seats are three kilograms lighter," Bolat pointed to progress in economy-class seating, "and that weight reduction alone can increase annual cargo revenue by $4.5 million per aircraft."
The lighter seats, already in use on Airbus A350 aircraft, are in the final stages of testing. Certification is being conducted at a facility recently established at Middle East Technical University (ODTU) in Ankara, which has been accredited by both Boeing and Airbus.
"This center has become an important asset for our country," Bolat said.
U.S. President Donald Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are scheduled to meet in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Sept. 25, as part of Erdogan's visit to the country to attend the 80th U.N. General Assembly.
The meeting is expected to focus primarily on Turkish Airlines’ planned Boeing deal and Türkiye’s potential reentry into the F-35 program.
On Tuesday, Trump also announced a deal between Boeing and Uzbekistan Airlines covering the purchase of 14 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with options for eight more, valued at $8.5 billion.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that Türkiye aims to balance planned purchases of Boeing passenger planes and Lockheed Martin fighter jets with more than $10 billion in proposed local production agreements for parts to be manufactured in the country, a topic expected to be covered during the meeting.
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