The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Airbus sees Türkiye’s aviation boom taking off as 1,800 aircraft beckon
European planemaker ramps up its spending on Turkish suppliers as domestic aerospace companies take on a growing role in international production
Airbus expects Türkiye to require about 1,800 aircraft over the next two decades as its fleet growth accelerates and passenger traffic potentially rises significantly, according to company executives.
Airbus’ Antonio Da Costa said Istanbul is likely to take on a more prominent role in international air traffic, building on its status as a major transit hub and its potential for further importance in coming years.
Airbus Türkiye President Simon Ward highlighted a dramatic shift in Türkiye’s aerospace industry, noting a large increase in Airbus spending on local production—from $35 million annually at the start to $750 million now, with growth expected to continue.
Ward also pointed to growing industrial cooperation between Türkiye and Europe over the next five to six years, while acknowledging that Türkiye’s dynamic environment makes longer-term projections difficult.
In related developments, Turkish aerospace companies are moving from primarily purchasing foreign products to supplying them, with Türkiye exporting the HÜRJET trainer to Spain under a program coordinated by Airbus and involving Spanish modifications, onboard systems, and training infrastructure.