Turkish Airlines A350 top-up order nudges it into club of type’s major operators

September 6, 2023 in Business, Companies, Travel & Tourism by Editor

A top-up order for 10 A350-900s by Turkish Airlines, has vaulted the flag carrier into a select group of operators, that have more than three dozen of the European airframers flagship aircraft in their fleets or on order.

Airbus and Turkish announced a new order for 10 additional A350-900 aircraft September 6, taking Turkish’s tally for the type to 40. The latest signing another announcement in August where the carrier ordered four A350-900s. Turkish Airlines already operates a fleet of 14 A350-900s.

Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, said the airframer was delighted that Turkish had decided “to further enlarge its fleet with the purchase of 10 more A350-900 aircraft. With greater range capability, passenger capacity and comfort, the A350 is the perfect platform to connect Istanbul to the world.

“This repeat order demonstrates the confidence for our unique new generation aircraft that offers airlines unbeatable economics and efficiency.”

The Turkish order takes the A350 order tally to 1034 airframes across all variants, including the freighter version. It also places the flag carrier among a select club of only 8 airlines globally, that have orders for 40 A350’s and above. Qatar so far leads the pack with orders for 76 examples. It is followed by Singapore International Airlines with 72 units ordered, Cathy Pacific 46, United Airlines 45 and Air France 42. Air China and Turkish tie in 7^th position with orders for 40 units each.

Airbus touts the A350 as the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft and the long-range leader in the 300-410 seat category.