Turkish Airlines has placed an order with Boeing for four 777 Freighters with the airline citing a growing global demand for cargo services as the catalyst.
Turkish Airlines’ acquisition of four more Boeing 777 Freighters will see the aircraft type’s numbers triple from eight to 12 in the near future.
The deal between Boeing and Turkish Airlines was announced on July 2, 2024, but no schedule delivery date was confirmed.
“This new investment in expanding our cargo fleet underscores our commitment to meeting the growing global demand for air freight services,” said Turkish Airlines Chief Cargo Officer Ali Türk. “The addition of these Boeing 777 Freighters will not only enhance our operational capabilities, but also serve as another step in our strategic vision to reach the top of air cargo sector worldwide while maintaining our leading position with our unparalleled service and efficiency for our customers across the globe.”
Boeing said in a statement that the new order was reflective of the “rapid growth of e-commerce and the need for efficient and reliable transportation across the globe” and that the extra freighters will provide Turkish Airlines with an additional 408 metric tons to its cargo lift.
“We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with Turkish Airlines and support its expansion of cargo operations with the addition of Boeing 777 Freighters,” said Paul Righi, Vice President of Boeing Commercial Sales for Eurasia. “The 777 Freighter’s payload capacity, range and flexibility will enable Turkish Airlines to deliver exceptional customer service while maximizing operational efficiency.”
With more than 265 deliveries, the 777 Freighter is Boeing’s best-selling freighter airplane of all time.
It remains to be seen if Boeing and Turkish Airlines announce more orders over next few months, particularly in the passenger jet segment.
At the International Air Travel Association’s (IATA) annual general meeting (AGM) in June 2024, Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat revealed that talks had opened with Boeing over a possible order for 250 aircraft.
Speaking to journalists on June 4, 2024, Bolat said discussions had so far included the cost of engines for 150 737 MAXs and 75 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
The news of a possible order with Boeing came after Turkish Airlines placed a firm order in December 2023 with Airbus for 230 aircraft, comprised of A350-900s, A350-1000s and A350Fs.
Bolat also suggested that an order with Boeing was a strategy to “split the risk” between the US planemaker and Airbus.