Summary
- Turkish Airlines is rumored to announce a substantial order for 355 Airbus aircraft at the Dubai Airshow 2023, which aligns with their plan to expand their fleet to 800 aircraft by 2033.
- The potential order includes 250 A321neos, 75 A350-900s, 15 A350-1000s, and five A350Fs.
- If realized, Turkish Airlines would become the world’s largest A350 operator.
The Dubai Airshow 2023 is about to kick off, and many in the aviation scene are eagerly awaiting the action. Airshows are known for two things: awesome planes, both on static display and flying in the daily aerial display, as well as airlines making big orders. Adding to the pre-show excitement, various reports and earlier hints suggest the likelihood that Turkish Airlines might announce a substantial order for Airbus aircraft during this year’s Dubai Airshow.
An order of 355 aircraft on the horizon?
This year, the Turkish national airline revealed its ambitious plans for the following years. The strategic plan includes significant financial growth, an expanded employee and passenger base, as well as a larger fleet.
At present, the airline has a relatively large and mixed fleet with a total of 339 aircraft, according to Planespotters.net. The airline’s current fleet includes a variety of aircraft types, such as the Airbus A319, A320, A321, A330, and A350, as well as the Boeing 737, 737 MAX, 777, and 787 Dreamliner.
Photo: EvrenKalinbacak | Shutterstock
In its previous reports, the airline stated its intention to expand its fleet to 435 aircraft this year. However, considering it is already November, the likelihood of the airline achieving this goal is slim.
Nonetheless, the airline harbors an even more ambitious target of reaching a fleet size of 800 aircraft by 2033. This ambitious objective might come to fruition, as multiple reports and indications suggest that the airline is gearing up to announce a substantial order for 355 Airbus aircraft, according to a report by Bloomberg. The growth in fleet size would allow the airline to reach its target of carrying 170 million passengers in 10 years’ time as per its strategic plan.
According to a report by Aviation24.be, the potential order would include 250 A321neos, 75 A350-900s, 15 A350-1000s, and five A350Fs.
Photo: MBekir | Shutterstock
Should the order come to fruition, Turkish Airlines would become the world’s largest A350 operator, with an impressive A350 fleet totaling 110 aircraft. Currently, Singapore Airlines is the world’s largest A350 operator, with a total of 63 A350s in its fleet.
Financial goals
By the end of 2022, the airline concluded its fiscal year with $2.7 billion in net income, outshining numerous European and US carriers in terms of financial success. Notably, the airline’s passenger revenue experienced a 28% growth, reaching $14.3 billion compared to 2021.
In an interview with Simple Flying, the carrier’s chairman of the board and the executive committee, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat, revealed how the airline managed to achieve positive financial results.
Now, alongside the plan to expand its fleet significantly, Turkish Airlines said that it would aim to boost its consolidated revenue to $50 billion by the end of 2033. In addition, Turkish Airlines aims to achieve a 7% average annual growth rate to double its passenger capacity by 2033.
What are your thoughts on this potential order? Will you be following this year’s Dubai Airshow? Let us know in the comments section below.
Sources: Bloomberg, Aviation24.be, Planespotters.net