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Turkish Airlines has not reached a final decision on purchasing aircraft from Boeing, despite ongoing discussions between the two companies, the carrier's communications chief said, following renewed attention on potential defense and aviation deals between Türkiye and the United States.
Yahya Ustun, Turkish Airlines' Head of Communications, addressed speculation about the state-owned carrier's potential Boeing acquisition, stating: "This is a topic we have been discussing with Boeing for a long time, no final decision has been made yet."
The comments come after President Donald Trump announced on social media that he would host President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on Sep. 25, specifically mentioning "large scale purchase of Boeing aircraft" as part of broader bilateral negotiations.
"We are working on many Trade and Military Deals with the President, including the large scale purchase of Boeing aircraft, a major F-16 Deal, and a continuation of the F-35 talks, which we expect to conclude positively," Trump wrote, describing his relationship with Erdogan as "very good."
Turkish Airlines, one of the world's largest carriers by international destinations, has been expanding its fleet significantly in recent years as part of Türkiye's broader aviation hub strategy. The airline currently operates a mixed fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, serving over 340 destinations worldwide.
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The potential Boeing deal appears linked to broader U.S.-Türkiye defense cooperation, including F-16 fighter jet sales and ongoing discussions about Türkiye's potential return to the F-35 program, from which Ankara was expelled in 2019 following its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense systems.
The September 25 White House meeting will mark a key moment in U.S.-Türkiye relations, which have experienced both cooperation and tension over various regional and defense issues in recent years.
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