Turkey
Turkey’s first fifth-gen Kaan fighter takes flight
Turkey’s first domestically developed manned combat aircraft – which is now dubbed the Kaan (formerly known as the TF-X) – graced the skies for the first time on February 21, when it completed its maiden flight from Akinci Air Base near Ankara
US finally approves sale of F-16 Block 70s to Turkey
After a two-year delay, Turkey has finally gained approval from the US government to acquire 40 new-build F-16C/D Block 70 Fighting Falcon multi-role fighters and 79 F-16V upgrade kits in a deal worth approximately $23bn
Ethiopia acquires Su-30K fighters and Akinci drones
The Ethiopian Air Force (EAF) has taken delivery of two Russian-built Su-30K Flanker-F multi-role fighters and an unspecified number of Turkish-made Bayraktar Akinci unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs)
Turkish Airlines rebrands its low-cost carrier
Turkish Airlines has announced that it will rebrand its low-cost subsidiary AnadoluJet as AJet Air Transportation Inc – AJet for short – and move the carrier to its own AOC starting in March 2024.
Next-generation AWACS – Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail
Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail was expected to take over from the E-3 AWACS as it departed, but this hasn’t happened. Delays and cost overruns have meant the aircraft has not yet reached its full potential. However, a recent order by the USAF might be just what it needs, says Jon Lake.
Nigeria welcomes initial T129 ATAK gunships from Turkey
The first pair of T129 ATAK helicopters for the Nigerian Air Force arrived in country via a Turkish Air Force-operated A400M Atlas tactical transport on November 1
Turkey's Baykar kicks off Bayraktar TB3 UCAV flight testing
The new Bayraktar TB3 UCAV successfully completed its maiden flight at the Akinci Flight Training and Test Center in the Çorlu district of Tekirdağ, Turkey, on October 27, neatly presaging the nation’s 100th annual Republic Day celebrations
Pegasus Airlines reaches major fleet milestone
Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines has taken delivery of its 100th aircraft.
What's behind the remarkable growth of Turkish aviation?
Istanbul’s new airport is the busiest in Europe, neighbouring Sabiha Gökçen has so much traffic it is about to open a second runway, and hometown heroes Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines have impressive – and bold – plans to double in size over the next decade. Richard Schuurman heads to Turkey to find out what is fuelling this remarkable growth
Planespotting from the ATC tower at Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen Airport
Istanbul’s second airport, Sabiha Gökçen, handled 31 million passengers in 2022 and attracts an interesting array of domestic and international traffic. Ilgaz Deger shares a selection of photos from his recent visit up the ATC tower