Turkish Airlines announced on Friday that it has ordered over 200 Airbus jets, with an option to purchase over 100 more. The deal is part of a growth plan for the airline over the next decade.
The Turkish carrier said in a statement that the orders are part of a “strategic plan” for the period 2023-2033. The airline’s CEO, Bilal Akshi, said that the total number of new aircraft could reach 355, making the deal one of the largest in aviation history.
However, there are discrepancies between the numbers provided by Turkish Airlines and Airbus. The Turkish carrier said in its statement that it has placed orders for 230 jets, with options for 125 more. Airbus, for its part, said that the number of new aircraft is 220, and that the 10 additional planes were ordered by Turkish Airlines in September.
The new order includes 150 A321neo aircraft and 60 A350-900 aircraft. The list price of the aircraft is $40 billion, but the final price is often lower due to discounts offered by manufacturers for large orders.
Turkish Airlines’ current fleet is evenly split between Airbus and Boeing, but the new order significantly bolsters the European manufacturer’s position.
Airbus CEO Christian Scherer said that “the order for the latest generation of aircraft is a testament to Turkish Airlines’ bold vision.”
The Turkish carrier operates flights to over 120 destinations worldwide, departing from the new Istanbul International Airport. It said that the new deal includes separate orders from British company Rolls-Royce to provide engines and spare parts for the A321neo and A350-900 aircraft.
