As part of its strategic growth plans to expand its fleet beyond 800 aircraft by 2033, Turkish Airlines has signed an agreement with HAVELSAN for the procurement of a total of 12 new training devices, comprising eight (8) Full Flight Simulators (FFS) and four (4) Flight Training Devices (FTD).
The agreement will support the expansion of Turkish Airlines’ pilot training capacity through the new simulator hangars. The construction began in January 2026 and the first phase is scheduled to become operational in 2027, as well as the new Flight Training Center planned for completion in 2028.
Under the agreement, HAVELSAN will also make a strategic entry into the wide-body aircraft simulation market. The company will deliver eight (8) Full Flight Simulators covering both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft types, together with four (4) Flight Training Devices.
All simulators will be manufactured in Türkiye and integrated into Turkish Airlines’ expanding training infrastructure. The project represents another significant step toward strengthening the country’s high-technology capabilities while advancing the development of indigenous pilot training systems.
Turkish Airlines currently operates six HAVELSAN-manufactured, EASA Level D certified Full Flight Simulators at its training centers, including three (3) Airbus A320neo/CEO simulators, two (2) Boeing 737 MAX simulators and one (1) Boeing 737NG simulator. The additional orders awarded under the tender are a strong testament to the flag carrier’s continued confidence in HAVELSAN’s flight simulation solutions.
In addition, the EASA certification process has recently been completed for one Boeing 737 MAX Full Flight Simulator delivered by HAVELSAN under the order placed by Turkish Airlines during the 2025 Paris Air Show.
Commenting on the agreement, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Prof. Murat Şeker, said:
“With these new orders, by 2033 the Turkish Airlines Flight Training Center will become one of Europe’s largest flight training centers across three campuses, meeting the needs of Turkish Airlines while also providing training services for other airlines. We would like to thank HAVELSAN for its valuable contributions to this goal and for helping strengthen Türkiye’s domestic aviation ecosystem through advanced homegrown technologies.”
HAVELSAN CEO Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar stated:
“This agreement marks an important milestone as it represents HAVELSAN’s entry into the wide-body flight simulation market. We sincerely thank our long-standing partner and Türkiye’s flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, for its continued trust in HAVELSAN. We remain committed to delivering advanced, high-quality simulation solutions that support excellence in pilot training.”
About Turkish Airlines
Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Turkish Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance and today operates a fleet of 556 passenger and cargo aircraft, flying to 358 destinations across 133 countries, including 305 international and 53 domestic destinations. For more information, please visit www.turkishairlines.com or follow Turkish Airlines on Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram.