Turkish Airlines (THY) has made a commitment with Boeing to order 15 B777-300ER aircraft as a part of its expansion plan.
The latest order will be valued at $4.7bn when it is finalised. The carrier expects to receive the first three aircraft in 2014, seven in 2015 and five in 2016, and plans to buy another five in 2017.
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Last month, Turkish Airlines chief executive officer Temel Kotil told flightglobal.com that the carrier was considering options for Airbus’s A380s and Boeing 747-8s, although twin-engine A330s and 777s were the top priority.
"There is no problem increasing the commercial side," Kotil said. "The demand is there."
THY, which is 49% state-owned, currently operates a fleet of 194 aeroplanes, including ten A330-300s, seven A330-200s, two A330-200Fs and 12 777-300ERs, with flights to more than 200 destinations worldwide.
Boeing 777-300ER is the B-market version of the 777-300 with raked and extended wingtips, a new main landing gear, reinforced nose gear, and extra fuel tanks.
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By GlobalDataPowered by GE90-115B turbofan, the aircraft has a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,690km) and reduces fuel burn by an additional 1.4%.
Earlier this month, the airline also placed an order with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus for 15 long-haul A330-300 aircraft, which will take the total count of this variant to 27 once deliveries are complete in 2016.
Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines is also holding discussions for the introduction of the 737 Max and A320neo in order to gradually remove its narrowbody fleet from service.
Image: Once the order for 15 B777-300ER is finalised, Turkish Airlines expects to receive the first three aircraft in 2014, seven in 2015 and five in 2016. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.
