Turkish Airlines Defies Economic Gravity
Despite massive slowdowns in orders and deliveries of commercial jets, Boeing and Turkish Airlines have finalised an order for seven Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) airliners valued at $1.9 billion at current list prices. The order is in addition to the five 777-300ERs [extended range] that Turkish Airlines ordered in April 2009, bringing the carrier’s total 777-300ER orders to 12. The airline currently operates a fleet of 65 Boeings including Next-Generation 737s and leased 777-300ERs.
Boeing says the 777-300ER is 19 percent lighter than its closest competitor, greatly reducing its fuel requirement, producing 22 percent less carbon dioxide per seat and costing 20 percent less to operate per seat. The airplane can seat up to 365 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km). The 777 family is the world’s most successful twin-engine, twin-aisle airplane. Fifty-six customers around the world have ordered more than 1,100 777s.
Turkish Airlines is one of the fastest growing and prosperous airlines in the world. It carries approximately 20 million passengers a year, with direct flights to 108 international and 33 domestic destinations. The airline was founded in 1933 with a fleet of five airplanes that carried a total of 28 passengers. The airline made its first domestic flight in 1933 and the first international flight in 1947.
