Turkish Airlines to expand fleet with 225 Boeing aircraft after Erdoğan-US visit
Carrier signs for 75 787s and 150 737 MAX jets; deliveries planned 2029–2034; engines to Rolls-Royce, GE Aerospace and CFM International; announcement follows Erdogan-Trump meeting in Washington
Turkish Airlines said it will expand its fleet by 225 Boeing aircraft, in a disclosure to the Istanbul Stock Exchange on Friday. The carrier said it plans to buy 75 Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 airplanes and has completed negotiations with Boeing to acquire 150 737-8/10 MAX jets. Deliveries are scheduled between 2029 and 2034, with 50 787s confirmed and 25 options. The airline described the 787-9 and 787-10 as advanced, fuel-efficient long‑haul aircraft designed for international travel, while the 737-8/10 MAX jets are aimed at mid‑to long‑haul routes to support its expanding network.
For the wide-body 787s, Turkish Airlines said it is negotiating engines, spare parts and maintenance services with Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace. Separately, the airline said it has finalized negotiations with Boeing for the 150 737-8/10 MAX aircraft, with 100 confirmed and 50 optional, and will proceed with the order once talks with engine supplier CFM International are successfully concluded.
The announcement comes a day after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. Trump signaled that the United States may soon lift its hold on the sale of advanced fighter jets to Turkey, a NATO ally, and the two leaders discussed broader ties between Ankara and Washington. The U.S. move follows Turkey’s 2019 removal from the F-35 program after Ankara purchased a Russian air-defense system, a decision that remains a touchstone in security discussions between the two governments.
Analysts note that the fleet expansion underscores the importance of Boeing to Turkey’s aviation market and may support Ankara’s broader push to boost international travel and tighten ties with key partners as it modernizes its air-transport capacity. Turkish Airlines already operates one of the world’s largest flight networks, emphasizing growth in long-haul connectivity and regional routes as demand returns after the pandemic era. The financing and maintenance arrangements tied to the 787s and 737 MAXs, including engine and service agreements with Rolls-Royce, GE Aerospace and CFM International, are expected to be finalized in the coming years as deliveries begin in 2029.