Turkish Airlines (THY) introduced its 500th aircraft added to its fleet at a widely attended ceremony held at Istanbul Airport. The Airbus A350 aircraft named “TK Aile,” designed with photos of 100,000 employees and retirees, wrote “500” in the sky during a special flight, launching the company’s “Second 500” era. THY reiterated its fleet target of 1,000 aircraft for 2036.
A growth story from 1933 to 2025
Founded in 1933 with only 5 aircraft, Turkish Airlines has reached another major milestone in its 93-year history. The national flag carrier, which has one of Europe’s youngest fleets, incorporated its 500th aircraft into its fleet as of December 2025.
The launch ceremony held at Istanbul Airport was attended by current executives of THY and its subsidiaries, former senior executives, employees and retirees, as well as leading representatives of the aviation sector. Children of martyrs from all 81 provinces of Türkiye and actors from THY’s memorable Iğdır commercial film were also present at the ceremony.
Why is the 500th aircraft called “TK Aile”?
The Airbus A350 aircraft with tail registration TC-LHH was wrapped in a special design composed of photographs of 100,000 THY employees and retirees. The aircraft, named “TK Aile,” symbolises the company’s corporate memory and employee loyalty.
This design demonstrates that THY’s growth process is not limited only to fleet and destination expansion, but has been shaped by a culture of collective effort, loyalty and solidarity.
Ahmet Bolat: “This is not an end, but a new beginning”
Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee of THY, emphasised the strategic importance of the 500th aircraft in his speech at the ceremony:
“Our 500th aircraft is not merely a new aircraft joining our fleet; it is a symbol of 93 years of effort, determination and collective wisdom. On our journey to the summit, which began with 65 aircraft in 2003, today we reach 356 destinations across 6 continents. Twelve years ago, in the ‘Hayal Edince’ commercial film, the 500th aircraft was a dream when we had 247 aircraft and 247 destinations. Today we are proud to have turned that dream into reality.”
Bolat stressed that the 500th aircraft is not a stopping point, announcing that the “Second 500” era has begun and that they aim to reach a fleet of 1,000 aircraft by 2036.
500 in the sky: TK500 flight on the world agenda
During the special promotional flight, the aircraft named “TK Aile” departed from Istanbul Airport with flight number TK500. The aircraft followed a special route on the Bursa–Bolu line forming the THY logo and the number “500.”
According to global flight-tracking platform Flightradar24 data, this flight became the most tracked flight of the day.
On the TK500 flight were children of martyrs and their families, THY executives, former senior executives, employees and members of the press.
Milestones in fleet growth
Turkish Airlines’ growth momentum over the past 20 years presents a remarkable trajectory:
- aircraft – August 2006
- aircraft – November 2012
- aircraft – February 2016
- aircraft – March 2023
- aircraft – December 2025
Having a fleet of 65 aircraft in 2003, THY today operates flights to 356 destinations across 6 continents with more than 500 aircraft.
At the event area, milestone aircraft that joined the fleet were exhibited, while the full-scale model of THY’s first aircraft also attracted strong interest from visitors.
1,000 aircraft vision: 2036 target
While continuing to improve operational efficiency and passenger comfort through modern aircraft investments, THY keeps strengthening its fleet in line with its sustainable growth strategy.
The 500th aircraft is positioned not only as a symbol of today’s operational strength, but also of the 1,000-aircraft fleet vision planned for 2036.
