A 40-Year Journey in Aviation Excellence

Explore the 40-year journey of collaboration between Airbus and Türkiye, as they work together to shape the future of aviation and space industries. With Türkiye’s strategic location and strong supply chain, it has become a vital player in global aviation. Simon Ward, President of Airbus Türkiye, shares insights on how their commitment to talent development and sustainability fuels ongoing innovation and growth.

Türkiye is quickly becoming a key player in global aviation, thanks to its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

This unique position allows Türkiye to play a crucial role in the future of air travel.

As the aviation industry continues to evolve, understanding Türkiye’s potential is essential.

Airbus and Türkiye share a longstanding partnership, marked by successful collaborations in both civil and military aviation.

Over nearly 40 years, Airbus has worked closely with key Turkish entities, including Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines and the Ministry of Defense. This partnership began with Turkish Airlines operating the Airbus A310 in 1985 and the Turkish Air Force receiving the CN235 in 1991.

Türkiye also joined the Airbus A400M Atlas program in 2003. Beyond aviation, Airbus Defense and Space launched two telecommunications satellites, TURKSAT-5A and 5B, in 2021.

Today, Türkiye stands as the third-largest Airbus market in Europe, with over 344 Airbus aircraft in service across eight operators and more than 100 additional aircraft on order. Airbus holds a 52% market share of aircraft currently in service in Türkiye and 61% of the order book.

Turkish Airlines leads as the largest Airbus operator in the region, while Pegasus Airlines, a significant player since 2012, continues to expand its Airbus fleet. This enduring partnership highlights Türkiye’s vital role in Airbus’ European strategy.

Simon Ward, the President of Airbus Türkiye, shared with Air Cargo Update that the European aviation giant Airbus collaborates with 17 suppliers of different sizes in Türkiye.

These suppliers produce a variety of components, including fuselage parts, fuel tanks, and electrical wiring.

Ward emphasized Türkiye’s strategic importance in air traffic routes and its longstanding business partnerships with local companies, which have developed over nearly 40 years.

Türkiye’s Integral Role in Airbus Operations
According to Ward, Türkiye has become a crucial component of the Airbus supply chain, with every aircraft delivered containing some Turkish-made parts. “In the last decade, the amount of Turkish content in our aircraft has increased dramatically,” an Airbus representative noted, emphasizing Türkiye’s growing significance in the company’s global operations.

In addition to manufacturing, Airbus has expanded its customer support teams within Türkiye. These teams are embedded with both military and civil aircraft customers, providing essential frontline contact.

“Our teams advise on aircraft maintenance and operations, ensuring the best availability and readiness of the aircraft,” the representative explained. This approach guarantees that aircraft are prepared to fly whenever customers require, highlighting the importance of Türkiye in maintaining Airbus’ operational excellence.

Every Airbus commercial aircraft in the skies today features components made in Türkiye, from the latest A220 to the advanced A350 widebody.

“Türkiye plays a crucial role in our supply chain,” says Ward.

“Excluding our home countries, Türkiye ranks among the top ten in terms of sourcing, thanks to its capabilities and competitiveness.”

Currently, Türkiye hosts six Tier 1 suppliers, including Turkish Aerospace, Hutchinson, GKN Fokker, Mubea, Lisi and Turkish Cabin Interiors.

In addition, there are over 30 Tier 2 suppliers contributing to Airbus’ supply chain. Ward emphasizes,

“We expect Türkiye’s position to strengthen further as we continue to expand our partnership with the local industry.”

This collaboration underscores the importance of Türkiye in Airbus’ global operations.

Investing in Talent
Airbus is dedicated to nurturing its team of around 50 employees in Türkiye, providing them with the tools and opportunities needed to thrive in their careers.

“We’re focused on helping our employees grow. Through extensive training, leadership programs and mentoring, we ensure our team is ready to excel.”

But Airbus’ commitment goes beyond its own workforce.

The company is actively involved in developing Türkiye’s broader talent pool.

In partnership with Turkish Airlines, Airbus offers an Air Transport Management master’s program, preparing future leaders in the aviation industry.

The Airbus Beyond partnership with Turkish Airlines Aviation Academy and Turkish Aerospace Academy further highlights this dedication.

“We believe in investing in the country’s talent,” Ward explains, “to build a skilled workforce that can drive innovation and growth.”

Airbus also supports local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with tailored development plans, helping them enhance their capabilities and competitiveness.

“Our aim is to empower SMEs to meet future industry demands,” Ward notes, emphasizing the importance of these partnerships in strengthening Türkiye’s role in aviation.

A Key Trade and Freight Hub
Türkiye plays a pivotal role in international trade, ranking among the top 30 largest exporters worldwide.

Its strategic location between East and West enhances its significance, supported by major sea and railway container ports and large cargo hubs.

“Türkiye’s geographical position is a key asset in global trade,” notes Ward.

The country exports a high volume of goods, including valuable machinery, associated parts, eCommerce products and textiles.

In the realm of air freight, Turkish Cargo stands out with a network covering over 300 destinations, ranking among the top five cargo carriers globally.

“Turkish Cargo’s extensive reach and strong presence make it a critical player in the industry,” he emphasizes.

Reflecting its confidence in the future, Turkish Airlines has placed a significant aircraft order, including five A350F freighters. This move underscores the airline’s trust in Airbus and its commitment to expanding its cargo capabilities.

“This order highlights the strategic partnership between Turkish Airlines and Airbus,” he adds, pointing to the ongoing growth and collaboration in the aviation sector.

How Are Airbus and Türkiye Advancing Sustainable Aviation?
Airbus is deeply committed to fostering a sustainable aviation industry, aiming to minimize the environmental impact of flying.

“Our focus is on reducing CO2 emissions from our aircraft. But we’re also exploring a wide range of projects to understand and mitigate non-CO2 emissions through advancements in fuel, engine technology, and flight operations.”

A significant milestone in this commitment was Airbus’ signing of the Global SAF Declaration at the Istanbul Airshow 2022, in partnership with Turkish Airlines. This collaboration underscores Airbus’ support for Türkiye’s ambitious zero-emission goals.

“We’re proud to stand alongside Türkiye in its journey towards sustainable aviation.”

In terms of regulatory influence, Airbus maintains a collaborative relationship with Turkish government bodies.

While these regulatory agencies must remain independent to set and audit safety standards, Airbus is frequently consulted on various topics.

“We’re always ready to provide assistance when asked,” Ward notes, highlighting the cooperative spirit that helps shape aviation policies and standards in Türkiye.

This partnership ensures that both safety and sustainability remain at the forefront of the aviation industry’s evolution.

A Growing Aviation Partnership
Turkish Airlines (THY) stands as the largest Airbus operator in the region, boasting a fleet of approximately 220 Airbus aircraft, including both single-aisle and widebody models.

“Our relationship with Turkish Airlines is a cornerstone of our presence in Türkiye.”

Pegasus Airlines, another key partner since 2012, has ordered 106 Airbus single-aisle aircraft, primarily from the A320neo family, and currently operates a fleet of over 100 Airbus aircraft.

Airbus’ collaboration with the Turkish state extends beyond commercial aviation.

“Our military partnership began in 1991 with the delivery of the CN235,” Ward notes.

Türkiye remains the world’s largest operator of the CN235 fleet. Additionally, Türkiye is a significant partner for Airbus Helicopters, with substantial military contracts signed in the 1990s.

“Türkiye operates the largest fleet of Cougar helicopters globally, used for various military and rescue missions,” Ward highlights.

In the civilian sector, Airbus Helicopters has a strong presence in Türkiye’s Emergency Medical Services, with 11 H135 helicopters operated by Turkish Aerospace Industries for the Ministry of Health.

Other models, such as the H130 and H145, are used for private and business aviation.

Airbus is actively engaged in discussions for a range of military and civilian equipment, emphasizing a partnership approach.

“For us, it’s not just about selling equipment; it’s about developing Türkiye’s capabilities,” Ward explains.

This commitment ensures that Turkish customers receive top-quality equipment and services while integrating the Turkish industry into global programs.

Airbus continues to invest in Turkish companies and talent, proud of its successful partnerships with the Turkish industry, government, and communities.

“We’re the only OEM offering design and build packages, crucial for nurturing young engineering talent in Türkiye,” he adds, underscoring Airbus’ dedication to fostering local expertise and innovation.

Airbus’ Key Growth Area

• Commercial Aviation Expansion: Since delivering the first A310 to Turkish Airlines in 1985, Türkiye has grown to become the third-largest Airbus market in Europe, with over 400 Airbus aircraft in operation and around 300 more on order.
• Robust Supply Chain Integration: Every Airbus commercial aircraft feature components made in Türkiye, highlighting the country’s integral role in the global supply chain.
• Military Aviation Leadership: Türkiye is a founding partner in the A400M military transport aircraft program and is the largest operator of Cougar and CN235 aircraft worldwide.
• Space Industry Collaboration: Airbus has successfully partnered with Türkiye on space projects, including the Turksat 5A and 5B telecommunications satellites, and is eager to support future initiatives like military intelligence satellites and moon missions.
• Diverse Industry Projects: Ongoing collaborations with the Turkish industry span various fields, aiming to build on existing projects and explore new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Celebrating 40 Years of Collaboration
As Airbus and Türkiye celebrate 40 years of collaboration in 2025, the partnership continues to thrive with the launch of the Strategic Türkiye Enhanced Program (STEP). Announced last year in collaboration with Turkish Airlines and Rolls-Royce, STEP is designed to strengthen and expand this fruitful relationship through four key pillars.

The first pillar focuses on sourcing activities with the Turkish industry.

“We’re committed to working closely with our suppliers to build their capability, capacity, and competitiveness. This ensures that the Turkish supply chain is well-prepared to meet future Airbus requirements.”

The second pillar aims to support the growth of Turkish Airlines, a key partner in the region.

“By enabling the expansion of Turkish Airlines, we contribute to the overall development of Türkiye’s aviation sector,” Ward explains.

Human capital development forms the third pillar, emphasizing the importance of nurturing talent within the industry.

“Investing in people is crucial for driving innovation and sustaining growth,” Ward notes. Airbus provides training and development opportunities to enhance the skills of the Turkish workforce.

Finally, the fourth pillar focuses on supporting sustainable aviation in Türkiye. “Sustainability is at the heart of our operations. We’re committed to working with Türkiye to develop environmentally friendly aviation solutions,” Ward concluded.

Together, these pillars reflect Airbus’ commitment to a long-term partnership with Türkiye, fostering growth, innovation and sustainability in the aviation industry.