Turkish Airlines, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce came together at Turkish Airlines' headquarters in Istanbul to mark the historic order of 150 A321neo and 80 A350 Family aircraft in December 2023.
The event also commemorated the introduction of the Strategic Turkey Enhanced Programme (STEP) developed by Airbus, Turkish Airlines, and aerospace companies in Turkey to advance the Turkish aerospace industry in alignment with Turkish Airlines' long-term strategic growth plan with the aim of generating significant economic value over the next 15 years.
The recent aircraft order positions Turkish Airlines as the world's largest operator of Rolls-Royce's Trent XWB engine.
In the announcement, Turkish Airlines said in line with the partnership with Rolls-Royce, the manufacturer is exploring the implementation of a number of industrial initiatives in Türkiye, including the potential establishment of a competitive Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capability and further supply chain sourcing.
"We are glad about the launch of the Strategic Türkiye Enhanced Programme with Airbus, which is a testament to our deepening collaboration with the aircraft manufacturer. Given the rapid advancements in technology, today marks the commencement of our efforts to help cultivate Turkish aviation companies into prospective suppliers, aligning closely with Airbus' strategic objectives and their newly identified business domains," said Prof. Ahmet Bolat, chairman of the board and the executive committee at Turkish Airlines.
"We are also delighted to further strengthen our relationship with Rolls-Royce," they added, noting that by joining forces with the manufacturing giants, Turkish Airlines underscores its commitment to both excellence and the further development of Türkiye's aerospace capabilities.
"With the significant cooperation between three valuable companies, Turkish Airlines will continue to leverage advanced technologies and collaborative strategies to enhance our operational efficiencies and contribute to continuing our sustainable growth while reinforcing our leading role on the global aviation stage," Bolat added.
Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO said the new STEP programme will provide the framework for Airbus to further broaden its collaboration with Türkiye and support Turkish Airlines' growth ambitions, with a particular focus on supply chain development, skills and sustainability.
Turkish Airlines noted that Türkiye has been an integral part of Airbus' supply chain for over twenty years. Today, every Airbus commercial aircraft, from the A220 to the A350, includes Turkish-supplied parts.
At the end of 2023, Airbus's accumulated total investment in Türkiye exceeded US$4 billion.
In addition, Turkish Airlines said the 20-year collaboration has established a wealth of expertise, technological advancements and a highly skilled workforce in Türkiye's aerospace sector.
These initiatives aim to further develop the Turkish aerospace industry in accordance with Turkish Airlines' growth ambition as well as Türkiye's aim to develop a robust aerospace industry.
"Supported with the acquisition of A321neo and A350 aircraft which aligns with Turkish Airlines' ongoing commitment to expand its reach and enhance service capabilities across its extensive flight network, the partnership also underscores all three partners’ focus on sustainability and technological advancement," the carrier said.
