Turkish Airlines unveils 500th aircraft, honors employees and martyrs' children

2026-02-12 - 20:45

Turkish Airlines marked a historic milestone Thursday, officially introducing its 500th aircraft at a ceremony held at Istanbul Airport. The Airbus A350, registered with tail code C-LHH and named "TK Aile"—Turkish for "family"—features photographs of the carrier's 100,000 employees and retirees adorning its exterior. The event brought together aviation leaders, executives, employees, and children of martyrs representing Türkiye's 81 provinces. From 65 to 500 and Beyond Chairman Ahmet Bolat addressed attendees, describing the 500th aircraft as the culmination of "93 years of effort, determination, and common wisdom." He noted the carrier has expanded from 65 aircraft in 2003 to over 500 today, now serving 356 destinations across six continents. "This is not a final stop," Bolat emphasized. "It marks the beginning of the 'second 500' era." He reaffirmed the company's commitment to positioning Türkiye as a global aviation hub, targeting a fleet of 1,000 aircraft by 2036. Sky-High Celebration Following the ceremony, special guests embarked on flight "TK 500" from Istanbul Airport. During the commemorative journey, the aircraft traced the number "500" across the sky—a symbolic gesture heralding the carrier's next phase of expansion. Turkish Airlines continues to rank among the world's leading network carriers by destination count and fleet size.