Turkish Airlines Orders 225 Boeing Aircraft After U.S.-Turkey Summit

Following a meeting between the U.S. President and the Turkish President, Turkish Airlines announced a significant order for Boeing aircraft. The deal includes the purchase of up to 225 aircraft, with 50 firm orders for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and an option to purchase an additional 25 Dreamliners. Additionally, Turkish Airlines has ordered 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with an option to purchase another 50. The negotiations for 150 narrow-body aircraft have been completed, with 100 firm orders and an option to purchase 50 more 737 MAX 8 and MAX 10 aircraft.

The aircraft deal is part of a broader strategy by the U.S. President to leverage trade agreements during meetings with foreign leaders. The transaction is contingent upon Turkish Airlines finalizing negotiations with engine manufacturers. The delivery period for the 787 Dreamliners is set for 2029 to 2034.

The meeting between the two leaders also addressed other geopolitical issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The U.S. President emphasized the influence of the Turkish President on the situation and urged Turkey to cease purchasing oil from Russia. The U.S. President also highlighted the importance of Turkey's support for U.S. objectives, stating that the potential sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey depends on Ankara's cooperation.

The U.S. President described the meeting as conclusive, indicating that Turkey could potentially rejoin the joint production and procurement program for the F-35 fighter jets. He also urged the Turkish President to take more action to persuade the Kremlin to end the conflict in Ukraine. When asked about the progress of the F-35 deal, the U.S. President stated that it could be easily achieved if he chose to do so, but he did not provide further details.

The meeting underscored the transactional nature of the discussions and the U.S. President's efforts to pressure allies to reduce their reliance on Russian energy. For the Turkish President, the concessions made during the meeting were aimed at repairing strained relations with Washington. The discussions covered various sectors, including aviation, defense, and energy, reflecting the broader strategic interests of both nations.