Turkish Airlines has reached a significant agreement with Rolls-Royce for maintenance services and engine supplies for its Airbus A350 aircraft, reports FTNnews.
The agreement was unveiled at an event held in Istanbul on April 29 in collaboration with Airbus and Rolls-Royce.
During the event, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, highlighted the airline’s recent commitment to purchasing 230 aircraft, including A350 and A321NEO jets from Airbus. The negotiations with Airbus and Rolls-Royce also covered Competitive Industrial Cooperation to boost Turkey’s aviation production.
Additionally, Turkish Airlines aims to expand its influence in the Turkish aviation sector by introducing new business models and enhancing local production. The collaboration will connect local aviation service providers and parts manufacturers with global giants like Airbus and Rolls-Royce.
As it stands, Turkish Airlines operates a robust fleet of 24 cargo planes and 416 passenger jets, serving 364 destinations across 133 countries. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to significantly grow the airline’s operations and fleet.
In related news, Turkish Airlines is also in talks with both Airbus and Boeing about acquiring an additional 235 aircraft as part of its ambitious expansion plans, according to Chairman Ahmet Bolat. These discussions were confirmed during the joint event with Airbus and Rolls-Royce in Istanbul.
Bolat shared insights into the airline’s balanced acquisition strategy, which includes dealing with both aircraft manufacturers. He noted that Turkish Airlines is not rushing its Boeing purchases due to recent production issues but is simultaneously exploring opportunities with Rolls-Royce to potentially establish maintenance and overhaul capabilities in Turkey.
This strategic growth initiative aims not only to expand the fleet but also to develop the Turkish aerospace sector significantly. The partnership with Airbus and other aerospace entities is set to propel Turkish Airlines and Turkey’s aerospace capabilities to new heights.
