Happy April 1st  
Welcome to the latest addition of Turkish Aviation thread.
Thanks to LAXintl for helping me start this months thread.


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Photo © Dejan Milinkovic - Pixstel Photography


Here are some starting points:
-Pegasus further expanded its international network by adding Frankfurt, Madrid and Kuwait in March.
-The announced TK-SQ partnership will formally kick off May 1st which will include TK codesharing to Australia and New Zealand, while SQ will connect on two dozen TK markets via IST.
-Turkey eVisa program off to great start. Family from Philippines was the 1 millionth user and won free airfare and vacation provided by TK.
-First aircraft; a 737-800, TC-JHY featuring Turkish Technic locally designed galley furnishing delivered. 10 more Boeing deliveries planned in 2014 with home made galley. TK in negotiations with Boeing to enter into collaboration and make the local design a cabin interior option for other Boeing customers.
-Even before launching in May, Atlasjet has already up-gauged its planned 4x weekly Ercan-IST-Luton service to A321. Flight will also go daily effective June and is seeing "great" bookings to Cyprus per the airline.
-Some changes over at MNG Cargo. Its retiring its last 2 remaining A300B4 freighters and also its single 737-400 freighter. Also apparently its looking to return its A330F after not finding much work for it. TK had it on wet-lease but its been returned now. MNG seems to want to build its fleet around solely the A300-600F (which they recently acquired 2 more from China).
-World Trade Organization forecast Turkey to be 3rd largest nation tourism expenditure growth for 2014 - they forecast 24% spending increase in 2014 versus 2013. (for reference global average growth forecast is 4-4.5%)
-TAV won tender to develop another operate another airport - Milas Bodrum will become TAV's 14th facility when the new international terminal is planned to open late 2015. New facility will have annual capacity of 11.1million and will join the current domestic terminal with capacity of 7.6mil.
-Is Ryanair seriously coming to the Turkish market? Any news on that?
-TC-JVB latest TK 738 first flight was on March 28th.
-Also TK adds 3 more weekly flights to Ganja, Azerbaijan as per airlineroute.net
-Airporthaber says FAA not happy with TK crews only getting 24 hours rest between IST-USA flights;
http://www.airporthaber.com/havacili...haberleri/faaden-thyye-tehdit.html
On my last IST-JFK flight I had a chance to talk to one of the FA's and she said they only have 23 hours in NYC. I guess this is about to change. In the past it used to be two nights IIRC.
-Atlasjet to lease 3 x Sukhoi Superjet100, cn 95012, 95013, 95015
-Onur leased another 320 from CIT
-Pegasus leasing an ex-Ryanair 738
-Ajet/Sunexpress leasing 3 more 738s.
-While I was in Istanbul there was a lot of construction where the TAF used to occupy. New Cargo Area building, demolition of all those Havas and smaller buildings across from the 23/5 runway.
-On all of my flights between IST-ALA this year there was a Kazakh speaking FA on board, very nice. It was also great to get the 739ER on one of those flights as opposed to the regular 738.
-Now the local elections are over, can we expect the Presidential plane 332 finally arrive at IST, 3 years or so after its first flight??
-What happened to the new TK uniforms??

Please continue with your news, photos, views, rumors and good old sense of humor.
As always we ask that you refrain from political innuendos, personal attacks on these threads.
Thank you and Welcome.

Welcome to spring.

Nice to have you back TK787.

Quoting TK787 (Thread starter): -Airporthaber says FAA not happy with TK crews only getting 24 hours rest between IST-USA flights;

 

US airlines to Europe schedule the same way. Arrive today, stay overnight, and return tomorrow.

Quoting TK787 (Thread starter): -While I was in Istanbul there was a lot of construction where the TAF used to occupy. New Cargo Area building, demolition of all those Havas and smaller buildings across from the 23/5 runway.

I think it will look like this.

Quoting TK787 (Thread starter): Atlasjet to lease 3 x Sukhoi Superjet100, cn 95012, 95013, 95015

What happened to the Bombardier C-Series? Will Atlasjet still order them (they had signed a LOI few years ago)? If Atlasjet likes the SSJ, is there a chance of seeing them also in Turkey?

Quoting TK787 (Thread starter): -On all of my flights between IST-ALA this year there was a Kazakh speaking FA on board, very nice.

Most of the flights to ISB have a Urdu speaking FA on board. My Pakistani friends are happy with that  

Quoting LAXintl (Reply 1): I think it will look like this.

Nice picture;
-The big gray box just under the two burgundy colored buildings mid/bottom of the picture I think is a new construction for a Cargo area.
-On the right side of the 5/23 seems like they will have 15 or so New parking spots. ( marked "S" I think)
-On the opposite side of 5/23, marked "Y", there might be another 20+ parking spots. My question, how will they utilize these new 20+ parking spots on the opposite side of the runway? Unless those 3 new buildings inside the yellow area, are some sort of terminals, or this new section is connected to the main terminal with an underground passage?

Are we seriously not going to be bringing up the news of alleged arms smuggling?

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/bus...hips-arms-to-nigeria-tape-reveals/

Quoting TK787 (Thread starter):

Welcome back and thanks to LAXintl for keeping the threads going and keeping us informed these past few months, My question does anyone here know when TK will take delivery of 77W's this year and quantity? Looking at this web site http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Boeing/777/?p=13 .I can't see any 77W for TK anytime soon ?

Does anybody have the list of THY A330 ordes and their schedule of deliveries?

Quoting wing (Reply 6):

I know TK has 16 more on order with deliveries until 2016, They took delivery of two so far this year TC-JNZ and TC-JOA with TC-JOB and JOC within the next month or two ? As to how many this year not sure ? Here is the list so far http://www.planespotters.net/Product...0&fleet=4486&fleetStatus=1

Selamlar

Regarding Crew Rest USA !

European Airlines schedule 24 hour overnights only on east coast flights (ORD,PHL,WAS,BOS,NYC etc.), Longer Flights like MIA/CLT/LAX etc. will get 2 nights rest. As the flights from Turkey to the East Coast are like flying from Eruope to the West Coast (Time Wise) they should get 2 nights rest for a minimum ! ! !

Quoting TK787 (Thread starter): Airporthaber says FAA not happy with TK crews only getting 24 hours rest between IST-USA flights; http://www.airporthaber.com/havacili...haberleri/faaden-thyye-tehdit.html On my last IST-JFK flight I had a chance to talk to one of the FA's and she said they only have 23 hours in NYC. I guess this is about to change. In the past it used to be two nights IIRC.

as a matter of fact not only EU airlines including TK are scheduling only one night rest. I know from EK and EY that they also have only 23-25hrs, but the flighttime is significantly longer (13-15hrs.)

Quoting wing (Reply 6): THY A330 ordes and their schedule of deliveries?

Hi Wing,
AFAIK 3 more 333s this year, with 8 more in 2015 and 5 more in 2016.

Quoting TK773ER (Reply 5): when TK will take delivery of 77W's this year and quantity?

Hi TK773ER, TK was to receive 3 77Ws this year, 7 in 2015, 5 each in 2016 and 2017.
But the latest number show 4 77Ws this year, 7 in 2015, 6 in 2016 and 3 in 2017. Specific delivery dates I don't have.

Some good news for EU travelers connecting in Istanbul.
According to new aviation security agreement, EU origin flight transit passengers will be able to bypass the additional security check at IST and go directly into transit area.


Regarding the Atlasjet SSJ, first they are being leased, not purchased. Secondly, from what I gather the frames will be for its affiliate carriers in Ukraine, Russia and Iraq, and not necessarily for Atlasjet itself.
Also what is interesting about these frames are they are early built examples that Aeroflot returned in favor of newer frames due to the problems they experienced with them. So obviously Atlasjet got a good price. Good luck.

It was reported last month that Borajet was to get 5 x Ejets.
3 of them are ERJ-190-100LR ex-Nas Air,
Now Airporthaber says 2 are coming from a UK based airline and are E-170s.
And also Borajet to get rid of the ATRs once the ERJ's are online.
http://www.airporthaber.com/havacili...isti-ucaklar-ne-zaman-geliyor.html

Welcome back TK787, great to see you again  

Any news regarding the new cargo facility of TK at IST?

according to TK official web site, number of A340 is 6.
Phase out started  

Quoting TK787 (Thread starter): On my last IST-JFK flight I had a chance to talk to one of the FA's and she said they only have 23 hours in NYC. I guess this is about to change. In the past it used to be two nights IIRC.

Same goes for Brussels Airlines crew on BRU-JFK.

I heard some rumours that Corendon is interested in 739s. Anybody heard the same or got more intel? Also are they going to lease 320s again from Smartlynx?

Quoting ist2014 (Reply 15):

Is that TC-JDN wasn't that one damaged in some way ?

TC-JDJ is phased out (1993 built), its tail will be used for TC-JDN (1997 built) good decision  

4 A330s arrived in IST today for TK... That's news to me...

Anyone has more details?

http://www.airporthaber.com/havacili...-ucaklarini-turkiyeye-getirdi.html

The birds also appear to have F class

http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/TAM...s/TAM_Airlines_Airbus_A330-200.php

Quoting TurkishWings (Reply 19): Anyone has more details?

Looks like only one 332 from TAM this time, not 4.
PT-MVO, 5.6 years old, 18F 36C 171Y seating.

TK is really pushing hard to have all sort of aircraft in their fleet that exist on the planet.
Do not get why they would take PW powered A332s.

More important from that is that again a completely new cabin is introduced. Again angle flat seats.
While even LH is now converting all long haul to fully lie flat seats, TK is still buying left and right.
I mean it is not bad in it self but they have to start harmonizing the J cabin on long haul.

Wait till TK introduces its new premium seat product. Then you guys will complain even more about product differentiation.
 

In fairness however its not economically viable, and in some cases simply not permitted to undertake major cabin refits on these relative shorter term leases.

Not ideal, but such is the price for rapid growth due to long wait times for new built frames.

Here is a fleet update

Registration / Type / Code / MSN / Seats

TC-JDJ A340-311 343 23 270
TC-JDK A340-312 342 25 270
TC-JDL A340-311 343 57 270
TC-JDM A340-311 343 115 270
TC-JDN A340-313 340 180 270
TC-JIH A340-313 340 270 270
TC-JII A340-313 340 331 270

TC-JNA A330-203 332 697 250
TC-JNB A330-203 332 704 250
TC-JNC A330-203 332 742 250
TC-JND A330-203 332 754 250
TC-JNE A330-203 332 774 250
TC-JNF A330-203 33Q 463 281
TC-JNG A330-203 33Q 504 281
TC-JNV A330-243 3GF 529 272

TC-JNH A330-343 333 1150 289
TC-JNI A330-343 333 1160 289
TC-JNJ A330-343 333 1170 289
TC-JNK A330-343 333 1172 289
TC-JNL A330-343 333 1204 289
TC-JNM A330-343 333 1212 289
TC-JNN A330-343 333 1228 289
TC-JNO A330-343 333 1298 289
TC-JNP A330-343 333 1307 289
TC-JNR A330-343 333 1311 289
TC-JNS A330-303 333 1458 289
TC-JNT A330-303 333 1476 289
TC-JNZ A330-303 333 1487 289
TC-JOA A330-303 333 1501 289


TC-JLM A319-132 319 2738 132
TC-JLN A319-132 319 2739 132
TC-JLO A319-132 319 2631 132
TC-JLP A319-132 319 2655 132
TC-JLR A319-132 31D 3142 138
TC-JLS A319-132 316 4629 132
TC-JLT A319-132 316 4665 132
TC-JLU A319-132 316 4695 132
TC-JLV A319-132 316 4755 132
TC-JLY A319-132 316 4774 132
TC-JLZ A319-132 316 4790 132
TC-JUA A319-132 31E 2404 132
TC-JUB A319-132 31E 2414 132
TC-JUD A319-132 31E 2452 132

TC-JLJ A320-232 32L 1856 162
TC-JLK A320-232 32L 1909 162
TC-JLL A320-232 32E 1996 167
TC-JPA A320-232 320 2609 159
TC-JPB A320-232 320 2626 159
TC-JPC A320-232 320 2928 159
TC-JPD A320-232 320 2934 159
TC-JPE A320-232 320 2941 159
TC-JPF A320-232 320 2984 159
TC-JPG A320-232 320 3010 159
TC-JPH A320-232 320 3185 159
TC-JPI A320-232 320 3208 159
TC-JPJ A320-232 320 3239 159
TC-JPK A320-232 320 3257 159
TC-JPL A320-232 320 3303 159
TC-JPM A320-232 320 3341 159
TC-JPN A320-232 320 3558 159
TC-JPO A320-232 320 3567 159
TC-JPP A320-232 320 3603 159
TC-JPR A320-232 320 3654 159
TC-JPS A320-232 320 3718 159
TC-JPT A320-232 320 3719 159
TC-JPU A320-214 32C 3896 150
TC-JPV A320-214 32C 3931 150
TC-JPY A320-214 32C 3949 150
TC-JAI A320-232 32G 3259 150
TC-JBI A320-232 32G 3308 150
TC-JUE A320-232 32P 2156 162
TC-JUF A320-232 32P 2164 162
TC-JUG A320-232 32K 2395 180
TC-JUI A320-232 32K 2401 180
TC-JUJ A320-232 32D 2522 150
TC-JUK A320-232 32K 2602 180

TC-JRA A321-231 321 2823 194
TC-JRB A321-231 321 2868 194
TC-JRC A321-231 321 2999 194
TC-JRD A321-231 321 3015 194
TC-JRE A321-231 321 3126 194
TC-JRF A321-231 321 3207 194
TC-JRG A321-231 321 3283 194
TC-JRH A321-231 321 3350 194
TC-JRI A321-231 321 3405 194
TC-JRJ A321-231 321 3429 194
TC-JRK A321-231 321 3525 194
TC-JRL A321-231 321 3539 194
TC-JRM A321-231 32R 4643 180
TC-JRN A321-231 32R 4654 180
TC-JRO A321-231 32R 4682 180
TC-JRP A321-231 32R 4698 180
TC-JRR A321-231 32R 4706 180
TC-JRS A321-231 32R 4761 180
TC-JRT A321-231 32R 4779 180
TC-JRU A321-231 32R 4788 180
TC-JRV A321-231 32R 5077 180
TC-JRY A321-231 32R 5083 180
TC-JRZ A321-231 32R 5118 180
TC-JSA A321-231 32R 5154 180
TC-JSB A321-231 32R 5205 180
TC-JSC A321-231 32R 5254 180
TC-JSD A321-231 32R 5388 180
TC-JSE A321-231 32R 5450 180 Sharklet
TC-JSF A321-231 32R 5465 180
TC-JSG A321-231 32R 5490 180
TC-JSH A321-231 32R 5546 180 Sharklet
TC-JSI A321-231 32R 5584 180 Sharklet
TC-JSJ A321-231 32R 5633 180 Sharklet
TC-JSK A321-231 32R 5663 180 Sharklet
TC-JSL A321-231 32R 5667 180 Sharklet
TC-JSM A321-231 32R 5689 180 Sharklet
TC-JMM A321-231 32B 2916 151
TC-JMH A321-232 32N 3637 178
TC-JMI A321-232 32N 3673 178
TC-JMJ A321-232 32N 3688 178
TC-JMK A321-232 32N 3738 178
TC-JML A321-231 32J 3382 194

TC-JFH B737-800W 738 29770 165
TC-JFI B737-800W 738 29771 165
TC-JFJ B737-800W 738 29772 165
TC-JFK B737-800W 738 29773 165
TC-JFN B737-800W 738 29776 165
TC-JFO B737-800W 738 29777 165
TC-JFR B737-800W 738 29779 165
TC-JFT B737-800W 738 29780 165
TC-JFU B737-800W 738 29781 165
TC-JFZ B737-800W 738 29784 165
TC-JGA B737-800W 738 29785 165
TC-JGB B737-800W 738 29786 165
TC-JGC B737-800W 738 29787 165
TC-JGD B737-800W 738 29788 165
TC-JGF B737-800W 738 29790 165
TC-JGG B737-800W 738 34405 165
TC-JGH B737-800W 738 34406 165
TC-JGI B737-800W 738 34407 165
TC-JGJ B737-800W 738 34408 165
TC-JGK B737-800W 738 34409 165
TC-JGL B737-800W 738 34410 165
TC-JGM B737-800W 738 34411 165
TC-JGN B737-800W 738 34412 165
TC-JGO B737-800W 738 34413 165
TC-JGP B737-800W 738 34414 165
TC-JGR B737-800W 738 34415 165
TC-JGS B737-800W 738 34416 165
TC-JGT B737-800W 738 34417 165
TC-JGU B737-800W 738 34418 165
TC-JGV B737-800W 738 34419 165
TC-JGY B737-800WSFP 738 35738 165
TC-JGZ B737-800WSFP 738 35739 165
TC-JHA B737-800WSFP 738 35740 165
TC-JHB B737-800WSFP 738 35741 165
TC-JHC B737-800WSFP 738 35742 165
TC-JHD B737-800WSFP 738 35743 165
TC-JHE B737-800WSFP 738 35744 165
TC-JHF B737-800WSFP 738 35745 165
TC-JHK B737-800WSFP 78D 40975 151
TC-JHL B737-800WSFP 78D 40976 151
TC-JHM B737-800WSFP 78D 40980 151
TC-JHN B737-800WSFP 78D 40981 151
TC-JHO B737-800WSFP 78D 40987 151
TC-JHP B737-800WSFP 78D 42000 151
TC-JHR B737-800WSFP 78D 40989 151
TC-JHS B737-800WSFP 78D 40991 151
TC-JHT B737-800WSFP 78D 42001 151
TC-JHU B737-800WSFP 78D 42002 151
TC-JHV B737-800WSFP 78D 40992 151
TC-JHY B737-800WSFP 78D 42003 151
TC-JHZ B737-800WSFP 78D 42004 151
TC-JVA B737-800WSFP 78D 40988 151

TC-JYA B737-900ER 79B 40973 151
TC-JYB B737-900ER 79B 40974 151
TC-JYC B737-900ER 79B 40977 151
TC-JYD B737-900ER 79B 40978 151
TC-JYE B737-900ER 79B 40979 151
TC-JYF B737-900ER 79B 40982 151
TC-JYG B737-900ER 79B 40983 151
TC-JYH B737-900ER 79B 40984 151
TC-JYI B737-900ER 79B 40985 151
TC-JYJ B737-900ER 79B 40986 151

TC-JKJ B737-700W 73W 34297 124
TC-JKK B737-700W 73W 34298 124
TC-JKO B737-700W 73W 34300 124

TC-JJE B777-300ER 77C 40707 337
TC-JJF B777-300ER 77C 40708 337
TC-JJG B777-300ER 77C 40791 337
TC-JJH B777-300ER 77C 40792 337
TC-JJI B777-300ER 77C 40709 337
TC-JJJ B777-300ER 77C 40710 337
TC-JJK B777-300ER 77C 40711 337
TC-JJL B777-300ER 77C 40793 337
TC-JJM B777-300ER 77C 40794 337
TC-JJN B777-300ER 77C 40795 337
TC-JJO B777-300ER 77C 40796 337
TC-JJP B777-300ER 77C 40797 337

=

Thanks for another thread TK787 and welcome back  

Seems we are all getting Eco friendly M&S cards  

Quoting TK787 (Thread starter): -Turkey eVisa program off to great start

Its better since they relaxed the introduction dates and also changed a few of the rules. Kudos to them for listening to airlines and tourism agencies.

Quoting TK787 (Thread starter): -What happened to the new TK uniforms??

Yes it all went rather quiet !

Thanks for the A330 updates.Starting end of this month I am leaving the A320 fleet where I was flying for the last 10 years.Spend many wonderful days and nights on the fleet from the day it started with 5 aircraft,I flew as a FO,than as Captain and finally I proudly involved training of 300 FO's and 200 Captains from start to end in my four year of type rating Instructor and Type rating Examiner career for the fleet.

I was lucky to fly the maiden flights of TC-JRA,TC-JRO and TC-JSJ's customer acceptance test flights and delivery flights from Airbus factory.

Now Its time to move on to A330/340 fleet.Different type of flying for sure.An interesting milestone in my Anet career also.I was a brand new B737 400 FO in the beginning of his career when I joined Anet,and the best part was Age 26-35 was selected on my profile  

Only have 3 more flights left for the A320 family which I sure will enjoy and very much sure that I will miss it very much.Farewell A320 Family...

Quoting wing (Reply 25): Now Its time to move on to A330/340 fleet

Congrats wing.
Maybe will see you in one of those 330 flights.

Quoting LAXintl (Reply 22): Wait till TK introduces its new premium seat product.

What now?

Quoting LAXintl (Reply 22): Not ideal, but such is the price for rapid growth due to long wait times for new built frames.

AFAIK, if TK wants to get more A333s or 77Ws, delivery slots are wide open in 2016 for A333, 2017 for 77W.
As of now, both A & B will be cutting production rates of 330/777 by 50% by then if no more orders come in.

despite my little civil aviation knowledge, i do not know AFAIK , what does it mean

Quoting ist2014 (Reply 28): despite my little civil aviation knowledge, i do not know AFAIK , what does it mean

AFAIK = As far as I know

Any info on the inaugural flight of the first leased Jet airways A332?

Quoting TK787 (Reply 20):

Looks like PT-MVO arrived 01/04/2014 http://www.skyliner-aviation.de/regdb.main?LC=nav4&page=2

Quoting LAXintl (Reply 23):

Out of that line up only A333/A343 and 739ER have the same seating arrangements that's amazing imagine a business person who fly's in J class every week must have he's fingers crossed hoping he gets the new product..

I laughed so hard to the comments of bborajet news article on the aviation "news" website ran by the thugs.  
Some retired thy captain claimed these airplanes cannot operate out of short fields. He couldn't be more wrong  

I don't know exactly how borajet wants to operate them but the aircraft is extremely versatile. It's a good performer on short routes but it can do long legs. My record so far is 5:15 mins of block time. With 28,000 fuel capacity ,190s have long legs. Of course this kind of range is not attainable from airports like tokat, but I think these airplanes can be operated very successfully on routes that bypass hubs. My speculation is they can operate to some European destinstion from ESB.

It will be interesting to see the operation.

News about Tailwind:

Different Design for Germany Flights

B.7373-400 and A.320 type aircrafts we leased by wet-lease to perform Germany flights shall be coated to have the logos of both Tailwind Airlines and our tour operator INVOLATUS CARRIER CONSULT. It shall continue 2014 summer season intensely with its new appearance and daily 6 flights shall be performed between various airports in Antalya-Germany every day of the week....

Any information about where these a/c's coming from?

Quoting TurkishWings (Reply 19): 4 A330s arrived in IST today for TK.

airporthaber changed its story, this is the first one out of 4 332s coming from TAM.

Also Pegasus goes 3 x daily to TLV. What happened to the news of ELAL coming back to IST?

The long awaited 2nd daily flight IST-SKG has got the go ahead and will commence 1st May. Also it seems negotiations are ongoing about an A3 codeshare on the flight which is something I suggested might happen when they seemed to be stalling.

Link to news item here but only in Greek :

http://www.newsbomb.gr/koinwnia/stor...seis-me-toyrkia--servia-kai-athina

Quoting TK787 (Reply 33): Also Pegasus goes 3 x daily to TLV. What happened to the news of ELAL coming back to IST?

TK tomorrow with doubly WB service along with 5 other NB flights. Insane!!!

Quoting wing (Reply 25): Now Its time to move on to A330/340 fleet.

Congrats.

Quoting TK787 (Reply 26): What now?

The premium class products are evolving fast. While current TK product is pretty good, its not a world leader.
So something new further upping the game closer to first class is in works. Stay tuned....

Quoting TK787 (Reply 33): What happened to the news of ELAL coming back to IST?

Here is a article. The short story is El Al CEO is furious Israeli government is not playing hardball with the Turks to allow resumption of service by threatening to cancel traffic rights for Turkish carriers.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/months-...rlines-still-not-flying-to-turkey/

Quoting bahadir (Reply 31): It will be interesting to see the operation.

Yes very. Both route wise, operationally and financially.
E-series is a very capable plane, but they need to be flown in appropriate markets for them to work. Lets see if Bora the right ideas, or if this is just a crazy lease concept which someone stumbled across.

Couple tidbits.

At last weeks International Aviation Symposium in Phoenix during discussion about changing market landscape, CEO of Star Alliance Mark Schwab said TK and its Istanbul was hub "unstoppable", while Aer Lingus COO said many legacy competitors must be hoping for political circumstances or infrastructure problems to slow TK growth.

Secondly Aviation Week has feature story on Pegasus. While we know much of the info a couple interesting comments were made.
First PC left the door open for future 737 orders. Says while they have 75 Airbus NEO's on firm order with 25 options, their fleet plan require over 125 new frames by 2022, so a mixed Airbus and Boeing fleet was quite possible. A decision would likely depend on the level of growth they achieve on the next few years and how many new markets they can access. In regards to new markets, the CCO said they see greatest future opportunity in Middle East, Africa and Russia/CIS. New fleet will allow them to serve any route within 6-hours flying time of Turkey. Lastly he made comment that they are not interested in the 3rd Istanbul airport and will continue to make SAW their main base.

=

More tidbits;
-Iberia coming back to IST in June.
-DL resuming JFK-IST flights with new flight numbers 272/273. 1-2-1 flat beds in J on 763ERs.
-On my last IST-JFK TK flight I saw a piece of TK document at the back of the plane where it said in very BOLD letters:
"Karar Verdim Kabinde Sessizim" translated by Google; "I decided I'm quiet in the cabin". It is a good decision but I think the crews took it literally. Halfway through the flight I went to the back of the plane for some snacks and there were no FA's, I stood there... had a sandwich, drink and waited close to 5 mins for a FA to show up from the front.
Have you guys ever seen a back galley with no FA's, it just looks weird?

Turkish to dry lease 5 A332s from TAM Brazil for 8 years. These aircraft have a 3 class configuration of 223 seats i.e. 4F / 36J / 183Y

Link: http://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/ne...-to-dry-lease-five-brazilian-a330s

i think these birds are previously announced aercap deal ( it has been announcec as 5 birds and 8 years)
any info about range? I wonder whether they have enough range for havana-mexico or houston (77 W can be deployed for sfo or some where far)

Quoting behramjee (Reply 39): Turkish to dry lease 5 A332s from TAM Brazil for 8 years. These aircraft have a 3 class configuration of 223 seats i.e. 4F / 36J / 183Y

I think we are talking about the same ones. First one arrived earlier this month. PT-MVO has the below seats, not 4F. So we can assume the rest will have similar seats. 4F seats are on the newer 332s for TAM.

Quoting TK787 (Reply 20): Looks like only one 332 from TAM this time, not 4. PT-MVO, 5.6 years old, 18F 36C 171Y seating.

So, 5 TAM birds for 8 years for TK with seating of 18F 36C 171Y. Let's hope they reconfigure these into 2 class version with Turkish home made seats since they will be kept for 8 years.

Quoting ist2014 (Reply 40): any info about range? I wonder whether they have enough range for havana-mexico or houston

I doubt any of those destinations possible especially flying Westbound.

Longest 332 route is 6250 miles, IST-IAH 6388 miles.

By the way, checking longest non stops by airplane type, I came across this on wikipedia:
-Longest A333 route; IST-ORD 5491 miles
-Longest 739ER route; IST-Dar es Salaam 3357 miles

Yes we knew about the TAM birds, and they have started to arrive already as was posted prior. This is not another leases, but the same one.

Quoting TK787 (Reply 38): -DL resuming JFK-IST flights with new flight numbers 272/273. 1-2-1 flat beds in J on 763ERs.

Its amazing how much shorter the season is getting with Delta.
In 2013 they recommenced by late April, this year its June 2nd through only August 31st !

With TK leasing additional 5 332 from TAM and 2 from 9W are these frames just filling the gaps until TK's own 333 orders are completed ? Having said that TK's own 333 orders will finish in 2017 so that leaves extra 5 years of capacity. Personally TK should've ordered at least 6-10 more 333 at the time....

Quoting TK787 (Reply 41): So, 5 TAM birds for 8 years for TK with seating of 18F 36C 171Y. Let's hope they reconfigure these into 2 class version with Turkish home made seats since they will be kept for 8 years.

Maybe TK can keep Comfort Class and use the F seats as business, C seats as Comfort Class, no reconfiguration needed  

So where does that put TK's A332 fleet?

* TC-JNA/B/C/D/E - 5 original TK frames
* TC-JNF/G - 2 former QR frames
* TC-JNV - 1 former GF/MEA frame

and now 5 ex JJ and 2 ex 9W frames to top that of. Are the two remaining GF/MEA aircraft definitely out? There were conflicting reports about this.

All in all, at least 15 aircraft in 5 different configurations or am I missing something?

Quick note on latest DHMI passenger numbers for Q1-14:

Turkey +17%
IST +11%
SAW +40%
ESB +13%
ADB +10%
AYT +3%

Strong growth continues though a bit slow down lately. Obviously growing Istanbul numbers are more an more reflected to SAW rather than IST. In any case IST is also growing and we can expect further growth with new WB arrivals for TK. I expect IST to reach around 60M (become possibly 3rd in Europe) and SAW to total another 25M by year end.

Quoting TK105 (Reply 46): I expect IST to reach around 60M (become possibly 3rd in Europe) and SAW to total another 25M by year end.

it brings the total pax to 85 M and see below what they still say on wikipedia
The Istanbul greater metropolitan area is expected/projected to have a demand of 35 million international passengers and 25 million domestic passengers annually by the year 2015

I remember couple of years ago it said 50 M for two airports combined

Even 2013 year end result is way above these figures (around 70 M)

So what happened between LH and TK?

Well Oguz Karakas the director of corporate agreements and marketing at TK might give us a clue.
In an interview with Business Travel News, he was asked about the fact that LH would be scaling back cooperation such as frequent flyer earning with TK and that it has been rumored that LH felt it was losing too much business to TK.
His answer was, yes that might be the case, and while airlines do cooperate they are still legally competitors and are obliged to compete which is what TK has been doing.
Another interesting comment made was that from the corporate travel segment, Germany is TK's second largest market after Turkey and they have "several hundred" key corporate accounts there.

I'm bet LH cant be too thrilled that TK has managed to build so many corporate contracts in Germany. Each client TK carries might be on less client LH has.

TKs first 9W A332 TC-JIL will start with inaugural service to BOM today. Cabin remained the same: 30J and 190Y. This will give TK some leverage on routes where their A332s are too Y heavy.

Additionally, the second TAM A332 PT-MVM arrived in Istanbul this morning, with 3 more to come from TAM.

[Edited 2014-04-10 09:32:21]