Turkish airline SunExpress places US$460 million order for Next-Generation 737-800s

Today, Boeing announced an order from Turkish airline SunExpress for six Next-Generation 737-800s worth approximately US$460 million at list prices. Founded in 1989 as a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, SunExpress is a scheduled and charter carrier serving the Turkish tourist market, currently operating an all-Boeing fleet of 19 airplanes. The new airplanes will be equipped with performance-enhancing Blended Winglets, which will improve efficiency and reduce fuel consumption and are already installed across the airline’s existing 737-800 fleet.

SunExpress operated its first Next-Generation 737 via a leasing company in 2000. Since then it has grown its Next-Generation 737 fleet to 16 airplanes. “SunExpress has capitalized on the traffic growth to, from, and domestically in Turkey with the most reliable and efficient single-aisle airplane in the industry, the Next-Generation 737,” said Aldo Basile, vice president sales, Europe and Russia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Today, SunExpress is one of the leading private carriers in Turkey with ambitious targets for the future.” The airline also operates three Boeing 757s.

“We are proud and grateful to our shareholders, Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, for supporting us in adding new aircraft to our fleet via direct purchase,” said Paul Schwaiger, managing director, SunExpress. “These six new Boeing 737-800s will become great assets for our company while growing in domestic and international markets. The 737’s stellar reputation for environmental friendliness and superior efficiency is an excellent fit for our business requirements.”