Turkish Airlines has embarked on a monumental investment drive designed to significantly boost Türkiye's aviation infrastructure and solidify its competitive position on the global stage. The initiative, aligned with the national carrier's ambitious 2033 vision, was marked by groundbreaking ceremonies for eight major new facilities.
A Strategic Leap for Aviation Dominance
The ceremonies, held primarily at the airline's Istanbul Airport hub, represent a total investment value exceeding TRY 100 billion. High-profile attendees included Türkiye's Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, and Prof. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, alongside senior company executives.
Minister Uraloğlu declared that these projects mark a decisive and ambitious start to 2026, one that will see Türkiye surpass a new threshold in aviation. He emphasized that the eight projects are foundational steps supporting Turkish Airlines' magnificent rise and its goal of becoming the world's number one airline.
Boosting Capacity and Creating Jobs
A key component of this investment is the expansion of the SmartIST air cargo terminal. With its second phase now underway, the facility's usage area will increase substantially. This expansion will propel the cargo handling capacity from the current 2.2 million tons to 4.5 million tons, a move expected to launch Turkish Cargo into a position of global leadership.
The economic impact of this initiative is substantial. Uraloğlu confirmed that within the scope of these TRY 100 billion investments, 26,000 new job opportunities will be generated in 2026 alone. He stated that these projects will strengthen not only the wings of Turkish Airlines but also those of the entire Turkish economy, ensuring continued growth for the nation's aviation ecosystem.
Building an Ecosystem for the Future
Echoing the minister's sentiments, Prof. Ahmet Bolat provided further context on the strategic vision behind the spending. He explained that in line with their 2033 targets, the airline is developing not just its fleet but also the robust infrastructure needed to fully utilize it.
This comprehensive initiative spans from cargo operations and technical maintenance to catering centres and integrated operational solutions. Bolat described it as concrete evidence of their vision to establish Türkiye as one of the world's foremost aviation hubs.
He provided additional figures on job creation, noting that the 26,000 new jobs in 2026 will increase to 36,000 once all project phases are completed. Bolat framed the investments as building an entire ecosystem for the future of the country's economy and aviation sector. He revealed that the company's current contribution to the national economy is USD 65 billion, with a goal to reach USD 144 billion upon achieving their 2033 objectives.
