Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Founded on May 20, 1933, with just five planes, Turkish Airlines (THY) has grown from a small state administration into a premier global carrier flying to more countries than any other airline. The airline launched its first international flight to Athens in 1947, entered the jet age in 1967, and successfully transformed from a troubled carrier in the 1980s into a major international brand, operating over 300 aircraft as of 2025. 

Early Beginnings (1933–1950s)

• Establishment: Established on May 20, 1933, as "State Airlines Administration" (Devlet Hava Yolları), it was initially a department of the Ministry of National Defense.
• Initial Fleet: The first fleet consisted of five small planes: two Curtiss Kingbirds, two Junkers F-13s, and one Tupolev ANT-9.
• Early Growth: In 1947, the airline conducted its first international flight, traveling from Istanbul to Athens. 

Expansion and Modernization (1950s–1990s)

• Renaming: In 1955, the company was renamed Türk Hava Yolları, known internationally as Turkish Airlines, and became an IATA member.
• Jet Age: The airline began its transition from propeller to jet-powered aircraft in 1958 with Viscount 794 aircraft and acquired its first Douglas DC-9 in 1967.
• Overcoming Challenges: Following a difficult period in the 1970s and early 1980s marked by high accident rates, the airline modernized its fleet and improved safety, with major growth starting in the mid-1980s. 

Global Rise and Modern Era (2000s–Present)

• Aggressive Growth Strategy: Starting around 2003, the airline embarked on a massive expansion strategy, utilizing Istanbul’s location to connect smaller, underserved cities to its global network.
• Major Milestone: Today, Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other airline (122 countries and 304 destinations) and possesses one of the youngest fleets, boasting over 388 Airbus and Boeing aircraft as of September 2025.
• Resilience: The airline demonstrated strong resilience after surviving major global crises, including a 2016 coup attempt, to remain a major global player.

Turkish Airlines is currently a 49.12% publicly owned entity, with the remaining 50.88% publicly traded, although heavily influenced by the Turkish state's privatization administration.