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Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat
DUBAI—Turkish Airlines is targeting 2027 for its LCC subsidiary AJet to have 90% of its fleet comprised of next generation Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
AJet, which launched operations in April, replaced AnadoluJet. “At AJet, we are changing our management style,” Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat told Aviation Week on the sidelines of the recent IATA Annual General Meeting in Dubai. “Previously, it was a full-service airline. Now, AJet is managing its own policies and has its own AOC.”
At present, 30% of AJet’s operating fleet comprises next generation aircraft, Bolat said. “In three years, this level should increase to 90%,” he added. “This goal will be reached if aircraft manufacturers deliver as promised.” AJet’s current 95 aircraft are a mix of A320/A321ceo family aircraft, A320/A321neo family aircraft, 737-800s and 737-8s.
Turkish Airlines is working toward an order of 225 aircraft from Boeing, which could be split between 150 737 MAXs and 75 787s. In December 2023, Turkish Airlines ordered 150 A321neos and 70 A350s.
Meanwhile, AJet’s on-time performance currently holds at 80%, mainly because its major base Sabiha Gokcen airport is very congested, Bolat said. Turkish Technic, the MRO subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, plans to build an additional hangar in Sabiha Gokcen.
Bolat confirmed that SunExpress, Turkish Airlines’ joint venture airline with Lufthansa, is predicted to grow to up to 150 aircraft by 2033. “SunExpress is a productive and efficient airline,” Bolat said. “The holiday destination Antalya will grow.” In 2023, 56 million travelers visited Turkey, generating $54 billion in revenue. This year, 60 million visitors are expected.
Turkish Airlines is expecting more long-haul carriers to operate to its Istanbul hub. Meanwhile, the carrier is encouraging its Star Alliance partners to fly to Istanbul. “The city had 20 million visitors in 2023, the highest visitor number in the world,” Bolat said. “The number of big network carriers will increase soon.”
Regarding Turkish Airlines’ latest planned flights to Australia, Bolat said the carrier is considering launch of the routes by the end of 2024, depending on aircraft availability. “Regarding Australia, we may increase the frequencies to Melbourne or start flying to Sydney,” Bolat said. Nonstop services also are possible, maybe in 2026. “Even when we have the availability to fly the route nonstop, we may stick to the option of flying via Singapore. Our main brand, Turkish Airlines, now operates to six continents with our Melbourne flights,” Bolat added.
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