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Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines Overview


Turkish Airlines claims to serve more destinations non-stop from a single airport than any other airline in the world – indeed it got a Guinness World Record in 2024 for being the airline that flies to the most countries in the world – 131 nations.

Recent new routes include Sydney, Melbourne, Santiago in Chile and Benghazi in Libya.

Turkish Airlines cargo division Turkish Cargo has an operational fleet of 24 cargo aircraft that serve 82 destinations.

It also owns low-cost subsidiary AJet, formerly known as AnadoluJet, with plans to spin it off into an independent airline.

Turkish Airlines has been part of the Star Alliance network since 2008.

Turkish Airlines News

Flydubai operates a fleet of 88 Boeing 737s but wants to expand into longer-haul routes with 787 aircraft

Boeing delays are hampering Flydubai expansion, says CEO

Delays in the delivery of Flydubai’s first wide-body aircraft from Boeing are hampering the carrier’s expansion into long-haul routes and it may seek compensation, its CEO has told AGBI. The low-cost carrier is waiting for 30 Boeing 787-9 twin-aisle planes, part of an $11 billion deal announced at the 2023 Dubai Airshow.  The first deliveries […]

AviLease CEO Edward O'Byrne (left) says the company now has $2.25bn to fund expansion

Saudi aircraft lessor AviLease secures $1.5bn credit facility

Saudi Public Investment Fund unit Aircraft Leasing Company (AviLease) has finalised a $1.5 billion credit facility to fund aircraft purchases and business expansion, a local newspaper reported. The three-year facility, which was oversubscribed, garnered interest from 25 international and domestic banks, Arab News reported, citing AviLease CEO Edward O’Byrne. “Together with our existing revolver of […]

Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, says aircraftleasing companies will benefit from delays at Boeing and Airbus

IATA chief: Boeing and Airbus woes are a win for jet leasing

Aircraft leasing companies in the Arabian Gulf are profiting from prolonged delivery delays at aircraft makers Boeing and Airbus, with order backlogs at the manufacturers unlikely to clear before the end of the decade. “These [aircraft leasing] guys are in a fantastic position because they have a fantastic fleet of aircraft,” Willie Walsh, director general […]

AviLease will provide Turkish Airlines with a total of eight planes

PIF-backed AviLease agrees Turkish Airlines rentals

Saudi Arabia’s Aircraft Leasing Company (AviLease) has signed long-term leases with state-owned Turkish Airlines for Airbus A320neo aircraft.  Two of the aircraft have already been delivered, with the remaining six scheduled for delivery throughout 2025, the airline said in a statement. Riyadh-based AviLease’s CEO Edward O’Byrne, said these aircraft will support Turkish Airlines’ growth plans and […]

GACA chairman Saleh Al-Jasser handing the air operator certificate to Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas

Saudi Arabia clears Riyadh Air for takeoff

Saudi Arabia’s aviation watchdog has granted official permission to Riyadh Air to commence flights to and from airports across the kingdom. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) chairman Saleh Al-Jasser handed the air operator certificate to Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas, state-run SPA news agency reported. The certificate follows the Public Investment Fund-backed airline’s completion […]

Turkey Wealth Fund owns almost half of Turkish Airlines

UAE banks back Turkey Wealth Fund’s $1.2bn loan

State-backed Turkey Wealth Fund has secured its first loan without a treasury guarantee, backed by UAE-listed banks, a local newspaper reported. The sovereign fund raised €1.1 billion ($1.2 billion) two-year syndicated loan from 20 banks from 12 countries, Daily Sabah reported. The interest rate was set at Euro interbank offered rate, plus 2 percent annually for […]

Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas

Riyadh Air seeks tie-up with Indian carriers

Saudi Arabia’s newest airline Riyadh Air is exploring potential tie-ups with Indian carriers IndiGo and Air India, CEO Tony Douglas has said. The conversations are at an early stage but offer a “win-win” proposition, he told The Indian Express news daily. India is a “super important” market, Douglas said, as Saudi Arabia expects India to […]

Turkey has more than 6,000 hectares devoted to cultivating flowers and plants, including extensive greenhouses

Cut flowers are a growth industry for Turkey

February is the busiest month for Turkey’s cut flower exporters, as Valentine’s Day on the 14th of the month results in 70 million or more blooms being shipped to markets across the continent. Revenue of between $8 million and $10 million is expected, and with International Women’s Day following close behind on March 8, increased […]

Turkish Airlines served 31.7 million international passengers in 2024, an increase of 6.4% year on year

Turkish Airlines carries 83m passengers in 2024

State-owned Turkish Airlines flew 83.4 million passengers in 2024, up 2 percent annually, driven by its global expansion drive. The flag carrier served 31.7 million international passengers, an increase of 6.4 percent year on year, as the number of destinations rose 4 percent annually to 352. Overall, the load factor fell by 0.4 percentage points […]