Turkish Airlines begins talks for 40 Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets

ISTANBUL

AA photo

Turkish Airlines has kicked off talks to order a total of 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jets, the company announced on Sept. 22.

According to a press release from Turkey’s flagship carrier, officials from Boeing and Turkish Airlines launched talks to purchase 20+20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jets between 2019 and 2023 during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to the U.S. on the sidelines of the 72nd U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Turkish Airlines Chairman İlker Aycı said the jets were the most technologically advanced airplane in the world.

“Our intent to purchase these Dreamliners is to meet the demand for wide-body airplanes at the 3rd Airport [under-construction in Istanbul], further strengthen our fleet capacity on the 100th anniversary of the Republic, and enhance passenger satisfaction,” Aycı said in the statement.

“During the talks to finalize the order, we are strictly evaluating business volume worth $1 billion for the local Turkish supplier industry,” he added.      

Meanwhile, Boeing Vice Chairman Ray Conner said the purchase of the planes would help Boeing reach its long-term target to expand its presence in the country.   
   
“Boeing’s relationship with Turkey spans more than 70 years and we have outstanding long-term partnerships,” Conner said. 

“Working together with Turkey, we are now taking our collaboration to the next level, which will accelerate the growth of the Turkish aerospace industry while achieving Boeing’s long-term objective to expand its presence in the marketplace,” he said.

“Turkish Airlines is a great partner, and we value their confidence in us and the 787 Dreamliner,” Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Kevin McAllister said in a statement on Boeing website.

In addition, Boeing and Turkish Airlines officials also announced the “Boeing Turkey National Aerospace Initiation” designed in line with the country’s 2023 vision, in a move to support the growth of the Turkish aerospace industry and also strengthen Boeing’s presence in the country, according to the statement.

“The initiative outlines a strategic framework that aligns Boeing investment and programs with the government, Turkish airlines, aerospace service companies and industry suppliers in the areas of research, engineering and skills development. It reflects Boeing’s confidence in the long-term outlook for Turkey as a significant market and a leading global industry participant,” according to Boeing.

According to technical specifications provided by the manufacturer, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner made of composite materials has a range of 14,140 kilometers carrying up to 290 passengers. It has a length of 63 meters and is 17 meters in height. It is also around 20 percent more fuel efficient than the airplanes being replaced.