ARLINGTON- Boeing and Lockheed Martin Corp. are expected to secure a major order with Turkish Airlines (TK) and Turkey (IST) for as many as 250 commercial planes and additional F-16 fighter jets.
The announcement could come during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s planned visit to Washington, following the United Nations General Assembly, as both nations also explore ways to resolve the long-running F-35 dispute.
Photo: Nabil Molinari | FlickrBoeing 250 Plane Order
President Donald Trump announced via social media that he would host President Erdogan at the White House on September 25, after the UN General Assembly in New York.
Trump said, “We are working on many Trade and Military Deals with the President, including the large-scale purchase of Boeing aircraft, a major F-16 Deal, and a continuation of the F-35 talks, which we expect to conclude positively. President Erdogan and I have always had a very good relationship.”
Boeing has hammered out the framework of a deal with Turkish Airlines, which could be showcased during Erdogan’s state visit.
According to Bloomberg, the White House meeting and bilateral talks in October are possible venues for a formal announcement.
Photo: Turkish Airlines Hub | Istanbul (IST) is Turkish Airlines he… | FlickrTurkish Airlines Fleet Expansion
Turkish Airlines has long expressed interest in nearly doubling its fleet over the next decade as it works to transform Istanbul (IST) into a global aviation hub that rivals nearby Dubai (DXB).
The potential Boeing deal would include a mix of narrow-body 737 Max aircraft and around 75 wide-body 787 Dreamliners.
Airbus secured a separate 230 jet order from Turkish Airlines two years ago, underscoring the airline’s aggressive expansion strategy and the competitive landscape for aircraft manufacturers.
Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat confirmed last year that discussions with Boeing were ongoing, aligning with the carrier’s ambition to increase global reach.
Yahya Ustun, a Turkish Airlines spokesperson, added, “We have been discussing an order with Boeing for quite some time, but no final decision has been made yet.”
Photo: USAFRole of US–Turkey Relations
The potential deals go beyond aviation. Lockheed Martin is also expected to supply F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. However, Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program remains a sensitive point.
Ankara was an original partner in the F-35 program but was expelled after it purchased Russia’s advanced S-400 missile defense system.
The move prompted US sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which targeted Turkey’s defense industry and strained relations between the NATO allies.
In June, US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack told the state-run Anadolu Agency that a resolution to the F-35 dispute could be possible by the end of the year, suggesting some room for compromise.
President Erdogan has consistently championed Turkish Airlines as a symbol of national pride and global influence. The carrier, already flying to more countries than any other airline, is central to Turkey’s ambition to position Istanbul as a premier international transfer hub.
For Turkey’s $900 billion economy, aviation growth supports not just tourism and trade but also broader geopolitical goals.
The expansion of Turkish Airlines’ fleet through Boeing’s aircraft would reinforce both economic strategy and national prestige.
Photo: BoeingBoeing’s Market Position
Aircraft exports remain a critical component of US trade policy, often highlighted in efforts to reduce the national trade deficit.
Boeing has already outpaced Airbus SE in total sales this year, with large international orders contributing to its momentum.
Boeing shares have risen 22% this year as of Friday’s close, compared with a 35% advance in the S&P 500 Aerospace & Defense Index. Shares ended the day at $215.65 and were unchanged in postmarket trading.
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