Turkish Airlines Plans to Optimize Freighter Fleet with Boeing 777-200F Aircraft

Turkish Airlines has outlined its strategy to streamline its dedicated freighter fleet with a focus on the Boeing 777-200F model, as revealed by Chief Financial Officer Murat Seker in discussions with Aviation Week.

Currently, the airline’s cargo operations, operating under the mainline AOC, encompass ten A330-200Fs and eight 777-200Fs. Additionally, Turkish Airlines engages in wet leasing, utilizing one A310-300(F) from ULS Airlines Cargo (GO) and two A330-200Fs from CMA CGM Air Cargo (2C, Paris CDG), along with one 747-400(BDSF) from AirACT (9T, Istanbul Atatürk).

Seker has clarified that Turkish Airlines has no intentions of adopting the 777-8F model.

Despite the prevailing global slowdown, the carrier remains steadfast in its commitment to the freight sector. The airline’s cargo revenues witnessed a 44% decrease in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, resulting in their share within the company’s total revenues dropping from 26.9% to 12.5%.

Seker attributed these figures to the combination of global oversupply pressures and the enduring impact of seismic events on their operations. The repurposing of cargo capacity for humanitarian relief efforts played a significant role in this shift. Moreover, the surge in vessel availability has exacerbated the supply-demand disparity. With declining prices for containerized cargo, the competitive edge of air cargo over sea transport has dwindled, slowing the sea-to-air modal shift experienced during the pandemic.

Addressing these challenges during an investor call, Seker disclosed that the airline’s cargo yields had decreased by 35% this year. However, they anticipate a moderation in the second half of the year, projecting a drop of around 25-30%. In the face of these difficulties, Turkish Airlines remains committed to advancing its door-to-door cargo offerings. The pilot phase, set to encompass Türkiye, the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, is scheduled to transpire throughout 2026.

Seker expressed the airline’s ambition, stating, “By 2028, we are expecting to be an important player in this e-business sector.