Turkish Airlines has finalized an agreement with Boeing for as many as 150 737 MAX aircraft as the carrier continues a long-term expansion of its Istanbul-based network.
The deal includes firm orders for 100 Boeing 737-8 jets and options for 50 additional MAX aircraft, making it the airline’s largest single-aisle order from the U.S. manufacturer.
The agreement also allows Turkish Airlines to switch aircraft to the larger 737-10 model, giving the carrier flexibility to match capacity with demand on different routes.
The new jets are intended for short- and medium-haul services, including busy domestic and international connections that feed the airline’s global hub in Istanbul.
According to the airline, the 737-8 offers improved range and payload capacity while using about 20 percent less fuel and producing fewer emissions than the aircraft it replaces.
Turkish Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary AJet already operate more than 200 Boeing aircraft across passenger and cargo fleets, including 737, 777 and 787 models.
The companies also plan wider industrial cooperation in Turkey, covering workforce skills, technology sharing, sustainability and new opportunities for the country’s aviation supply chain.
Source: Daily Sabah, September 23, 2026.
Featured photo: Zoshua Colah/Unsplash.
Zeynep Aziz is a social-affairs specialist, writer and advocate with advanced academic qualifications in both Social Sciences and International Relations. Her multidisciplinary education has given her a strong understanding of society, public policy, human rights and the political forces shaping Turkey’s domestic and international development.
For many years, Zeynep has been actively engaged in social affairs and initiatives supporting the rights and well-being of Turkish citizens. Her work pays particular attention to social equality, democratic participation and the protection of vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.
Women’s rights remain central to her interests and advocacy. She works to raise awareness of the challenges faced by women in Turkey, including discrimination, violence, unequal opportunities and barriers to full participation in political, professional and social life. She strongly supports women’s empowerment, equal access to education and employment, and effective legal protection for women and girls.
Alongside her social work, Zeynep closely follows Turkey’s international relations and foreign policy. She takes a keen interest in Turkey’s relations with Europe, neighbouring countries and international institutions, as well as the impact of regional and global developments on Turkish society.
Through her writing and public engagement, Zeynep seeks to encourage informed discussion, strengthen respect for human rights and contribute to a fairer, more democratic and inclusive Turkey.
Zeynep Aziz
