A350 freighters among Turkish Airlines’ 220 Airbus aircraft order

Turkish Airlines, Türkiye’s national carrier, is expanding its fleet with an order for 220 Airbus aircraft that includes five A350Fs, Airbus’ most advanced, fuel-efficient but yet to be operational production freighter.

With this order Airbus has secured orders for 50 A350 freighters from nine carriers since its launch in 2021. Earlier this month Cathay Pacific placed a firm order for 6 A350Fs with an option to buy 20 more. The A350F features the largest main deck cargo door and a fuselage length optimised for cargo operations. Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials, which together with efficient Rolls-Royce engines generate an advantage of at least 20% lower fuel burn and CO₂ emission over its current closest competitor.

Turkish Airlines’ big order includes 150 Airbus’ best-selling A321s and 50 A350-900s and 15 A350-1000s. This follows two orders from the airline for 10 A350-900s in September and four A350-900s in July 2023. This latest order will take Turkish Airlines’ total orderbook for Airbus aircraft to 504, of which 212 are already delivered.

“On the new order, “This landmark order is more than an expansion; it’s a testament to our dedication to innovation, operational excellence, and a sustainable future. The addition of these advanced Airbus aircraft to our fleet will not only enhance our operational capabilities but also significantly contribute to our environmental goals. This investment is a crucial milestone in the further evolution of Türkiye’s aviation industry. By modernising our fleet with more efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft, we are reinforcing our leading position in global aviation and contributing to the nation’s prominence as an aviation hub,” said Ahmet Bolat, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee.

“The opening into the A350-1000 and the A350F highlights the cross-model value of the A350 family and reinforces our long-lasting partnership with Turkish Airlines and Türkiye’s aviation sector. We are proud to accompany Türkiye's connection to the world with our state-of-the-art aircraft,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International.