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Türkiye's flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, is moving closer to finalizing a large aircraft order with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing, the company's chairman Ahmet Bolat said on Monday.
Speaking at a media roundtable on June 16 in France's Le Bourget, Bolat said the deal is nearly complete, with the remaining points primarily involving financial terms. “I was hoping that we could close that here in Le Bourget but they had to fly to India for the event that happened,” he said, referring to the Air India crash on June 12, which killed 241 passengers. “I think we are very close,” he added.
To sustain its expansion amid continued delivery delays from both Boeing and Airbus, Turkish Airlines is moving forward with alternative arrangements. According to the business-focused aviationweek.com, Bolat confirmed that on June 17, the airline would sign a lease agreement for 14 narrowbody aircraft from two global lessors, Carlyle and Avolon.
The agreement includes both Boeing MAX and Airbus Neo models, with deliveries scheduled for 2028. “We don’t really distinguish in the narrowbodies,” Bolat noted, adding that operating leases enable Turkish Airlines to maintain its target of 8% annual growth despite ongoing aircraft shortages.
Bolat also mentioned that further leasing deals with additional lessors are nearing finalization, ensuring that the airline continues to expand even in a constrained supply environment.
Commenting on the carrier’s operations in India, Bolat acknowledged that Turkish Airlines currently serves only two cities there out of its global network of 253 destinations. Bolat also addressed the carrier’s partnership with IndiGo, India’s largest airline, which includes a wet lease of Turkish Boeing 777s.
“IndiGo at the moment is continuing. India is an important market for us, but we of course abide by all the rules and regulations,” Bolat said.
The wet-lease arrangement involving Turkish Boeing 777s will be terminated by Aug. 31, following a decision by India’s aviation regulator to allow only a short-term three-month extension.
The move comes amid rising political tensions after Türkiye expressed support for Pakistan during recent hostilities with India. The fallout has triggered consumer-led boycotts of Turkish products in India, ranging from chocolates and coffee to clothing brands.
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