2026: Turkish Airlines Begins ₺100bn Investment in Eight New Facilities

By Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Turkish Airlines has commenced a far-reaching investment programme aimed at strengthening Türkiye’s aviation infrastructure and enhancing its global competitiveness.
The initiative, aligned with the national flag carrier’s 2033 vision, involves the construction of eight new facilities with a combined investment value exceeding TRY 100 billion.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held at several locations, chiefly at Istanbul Airport, the airline’s main hub.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists on Monday by the Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, Prof. Ahmet Bolat.
The ceremony at Istanbul Airport was attended by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Türkiye, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, alongside Prof. Bolat, senior executives of Turkish Airlines and its subsidiaries, and key stakeholders in the Turkish aviation sector.
Speaking at the event, Minister Uraloğlu said the investments would enable Türkiye to cross new milestones in aviation development.
He noted that the projects mark a strong and ambitious beginning to 2026, describing them as a breakthrough that would further elevate the country’s aviation profile and reinforce the strength of the national carrier.
According to him, the foundations being laid for the eight projects represent significant steps toward Turkish Airlines’ rapid growth and its ambition of becoming the world’s leading airline. He explained that with the commencement of the second phase of the SmartIST air cargo terminal, the facility’s operational area would expand.
Uraloğlu added that the cargo handling capacity, currently at 2.2 million tons, would increase to 4.5 million tons, positioning Turkish Cargo for global leadership.
He further stated that the projects would not only strengthen Turkish Airlines but also boost the wider Turkish economy. Within the scope of the TRY 100 billion investment, about 26,000 new jobs are expected to be created in 2026, with continued growth across the aviation ecosystem.
Also speaking, Prof. Ahmet Bolat said the investments go beyond fleet expansion to include the development of robust infrastructure required to maximise operational capacity.
He explained that the investment programme, valued at over TRY 100 billion and covering cargo operations, technical maintenance, catering facilities and integrated operational solutions, would significantly enhance Turkish Airlines’ global competitiveness. He described the initiative as clear evidence of the airline’s vision to position Türkiye as one of the world’s leading aviation hubs.
Prof. Bolat noted that while 26,000 new jobs would be created in 2026, total employment from the projects would rise to 36,000 upon completion of all phases. He added that the airline is building not only new facilities but also a sustainable ecosystem to support the future of the national economy and aviation sector.
According to him, Turkish Airlines currently contributes about USD 65 billion to the Turkish economy, a figure projected to rise to USD 144 billion by the time its 2033 targets are achieved.
The statement further revealed that the new investments include several strategic projects designed to maintain global leadership in cargo, technical maintenance and catering services.
These include the Turkish Cargo SmartIST Phase 2 project, which is expected to become one of the world’s largest air cargo centres with an annual capacity of 4.5 million tons, and is scheduled for gradual completion between 2027 and 2028.
Also listed is the Turkish Airlines Main Catering Facility, planned as one of the world’s largest inflight catering centres, with the capacity to serve more than 500,000 passengers daily and expected to become operational during the 2027–2028 period.
The Turkish Technic Engine Maintenance Center, scheduled for completion in 2027, will be among Europe’s largest next-generation aircraft engine maintenance facilities, capable of servicing Trent XWB-84, Trent XWB-97 and Trent 7000 Rolls-Royce engines.
Additional aircraft maintenance hangars to be constructed under Turkish Technic and expected to be completed in 2026 will allow simultaneous maintenance of 12 aircraft, increasing current maintenance capacity by about 20 per cent.
The investment portfolio also includes an E-Commerce Complex, planned to commence operations in 2026, which will strengthen Turkish Airlines’ role in global trade through Widect, a new-generation operational model offering door-to-door integrated cargo solutions.
An Istanbul Data Center, scheduled to become operational in the 2027–2028 period, will serve as the digital backbone of operational continuity, enhancing the airline’s technological capacity through advanced security and data management systems.
In addition, the Flight Training Center (Phase 1), planned for the 2026–2027 period, will support long-term growth by strengthening human resource development, while the Additional Crew Terminal Building, expected to be completed in 2026, will complement expanding operations by ensuring seamless coordination between ground services, maintenance and flight activities.
The statement concluded that the investments collectively form the basis of an integrated growth model designed to expand operational capacity, technical infrastructure and digital capabilities in line with Turkish Airlines’ 2033 objective of becoming one of the world’s five largest airline fleets as it approaches its centenary.