Source: AFP
Turkish Airlines said on Friday it has decided to buy more than 200 Airbus jets — with the potential for more than 100 — over the next decade as it seeks to become the world’s largest carrier.
Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Eksi said in a statement on social media that the entire order could potentially add up to 355 aircraft.
The deal will be one of the largest in the industry and will significantly expand the Turkish carrier’s existing fleet of 439 jets.
“I wish good luck to our country and our company,” Exi said.
Turkish Airlines said in a separate corporate filing that the purchases will be made as part of its “strategic plan” for the period 2023-2033.
But the airline and Airbus differed slightly on the details of the deal.
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Turkish Airlines’ statement said it had placed firm orders for 230 jets and given purchase options for an additional 125 aircraft.
Airbus said the 230 figure included 10 jets ordered by Turkish Airlines in September and thus covered only 220 new aircraft.
The airline’s confirmed order purchase — which includes 150 A321 NEOs and 60 A350-900 widebody aircraft — has a list price of more than $40 billion.
Few deals cost the actual sticker price because airplane manufacturers give discounts for bulk orders.
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The Turkish carrier’s existing fleet is evenly split between Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
The new order gives the European aerospace giant a huge boost in its battle for global supremacy with its US rival.
“This order for the latest generation aircraft is a demonstration of Turkish Airlines’ bold vision,” Airbus executive Christian Scherer said in a statement.
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“We are proud to accompany Turkey’s connection to the world with our state-of-the-art aircraft.”
Turkish Airlines is based at the newly built Istanbul International Airport and flies to 120 countries.
The company claims to hold “the title of the airline that flies to the most countries in the world”.
Turkish Airlines said the deal also includes a separate order for Rolls-Royce to provide maintenance services and spare parts for the A350 aircraft engines.
The British government said Friday’s deal includes 70 aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce.
“This landmark agreement between Turkish Airlines, Airbus and Rolls-Royce proves that the sky is the limit for the UK’s thriving aerospace sector,” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement.
British trade secretary Kimi Badenoch called it “a win-win for the UK’s world-leading space sector”.
Source: AFP