Fifty new wide-body aircraft are being acquired by Turkish Airlines with options for a further ten.
The order covers 25 Boeing B787-9 Dreamliners and 25 Airbus A350-900s plus options to buy five more aircraft from each manufacturer.
The deal, for an undislcosed sum, has being struck ahead of the opening of Istanbul’s new airport in October.
This will see the city transform into a major global transport hub handling 90 million passengers a year and be the new home of Turkish Airlines.
Six of the new aircraft will be delivered next year, 14 in 2020, ten in 2021, 12 in 2012, 11 in 2023 and seven in 2024.
The new order was confirmed as Turkish Airlines reported a 26% year-on-year increase in passenger numbers in February.
The airline’s chairman İlker Aycı said: “We’re pleased to conclude this process which will bring a landmark benefit not only to Turkish Airlines, but also to Turkey’s aviation, by firmly ordering these aircraft to be added to our ever-expanding fleet.
“Goodwill agreements turned into firm orders, which we consider to be a very important initiative to meet our need for wide body aircraft at Istanbul’s new airport, which will serve as our new hub once its construction is completed.
“This is a great step, which will further strengthen our ever-expanding fleet for 2023, our Republic’s 100th year, and bring our passenger’s satisfaction to a much higher level.
“This will bring a great acceleration to the steady rise of our country’s flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, and will also bring a considerable added value for Turkish civil aviation.”