History of Turkish Airlines in Timeline

Turkish Airlines is the national flag carrier of Turkey. As of June 2024, it operates flights to 352 destinations across Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Americas. It holds the distinction of serving the most destinations non-stop from a single airport and flying to more countries (131) than any other airline globally. The airline's cargo division, Turkish Cargo, operates with a fleet of 24 cargo aircraft, serving 82 destinations. Turkish Airlines also owns a low-cost subsidiary, AJet.

May 1933: Turkish Airlines established

On May 20, 1933, Turkish Airlines was established as Turkish State Airlines, a department of the Ministry of National Defense. The initial fleet consisted of two five-seat Curtiss Kingbirds, two four-seat Junkers F 13s and one ten-seat Tupolev ANT-9.

1935: Turned over to the Ministry of Public Works

In 1935, the airline was turned over to the Ministry of Public Works and was subsequently renamed General Directorate of State Airlines.

1938: Became part of the Ministry of Transportation

In 1938, Turkish Airlines became part of the Ministry of Transportation.

1945: Douglas DC-3s and Douglas C-47s were phased in

In 1945, several Douglas DC-3s and Douglas C-47s were phased into the Turkish Airlines fleet.

1947: Commenced international services

In 1947, Turkish Airlines commenced international services with the inauguration of Ankara–Istanbul–Athens flights, utilizing the DC-3s and C-47s to expand its network.

1956: Reorganized under the name Türk Hava Yolları A.O.

In 1956, the Turkish government reorganized the airline under the name Türk Hava Yolları A.O. and was capitalized at TRY 60 million. The airline also joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shortly thereafter.

1957: BOAC began supplying technical support

In 1957, British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) began supplying technical support to Turkish Airlines after acquiring a 6.5 percent shareholding, which it held for about 20 years.

1967: Began operating its first jet, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9

In 1967, Turkish Airlines began operating its first jet, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9.

1971: Addition of three Boeing 707 jets

In 1971, Turkish Airlines added three Boeing 707 jets to its fleet.

1972: McDonnell Douglas DC-10 put into service

In 1972, Turkish Airlines put the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 into service.

1973: Fokker F28 put into service

In 1973, Turkish Airlines put the Fokker F28 into service.

1974: Crash of Turkish Airlines Flight 981

In 1974, Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crashed due to an aircraft design flaw, resulting in 346 deaths. At the time, THY981 was the worst plane crash of all time.

1983: Suffered seven accidents between 1974 and 1983

Between 1974 and 1983, Turkish Airlines endured hijackings and suffered seven accidents.

1983: New government began the airline's makeover

In 1983, a new government recognized THY's importance and began the airline's makeover into a modern operation.

1984: Built a new, state-of-the-art technical center

In 1984, THY built a new, state-of-the-art technical center at Yeşilköy Airport. In 1984, the company's capital was raised to 60 billion TL.

1985: Began operating Airbus A310s

Turkish Airlines began operating Airbus A310s in 1985.

1986: Addition of flights to Singapore

In 1986, Turkish Airlines added flights to Singapore.

1987: Route to New York City added

In 1987, Turkish Airlines added a route to New York City via Brussels.

1987: Posted losses in 1987 and 1988

Turkish Airlines posted losses in 1987 and 1988, largely due to high payments on its dozen new Airbus A310s.

1988: Posted losses in 1987 and 1988

Turkish Airlines posted losses in 1987 and 1988, largely due to high payments on its dozen new Airbus A310s.

1990: Ordered five Airbus A340 aircraft

In 1990, Turkish Airlines ordered five Airbus A340 aircraft with an option for five more.

1993: First A340 delivered

In 1993, the first Airbus A340 was delivered to Turkish Airlines.

July 1994: Launched a nonstop flight to New York City

In July 1994, THY launched a nonstop flight to New York City.

1995: Capital raised and Boeing 727s converted

In 1995, the company's capital reached 10 trillion TL. During that year, the airline also converted three of its Boeing 727s to dedicated freighters.

1996: Domestic market was deregulated

In 1996, the domestic market was deregulated, allowing new scheduled competition from charter airlines. THY entered into marketing agreements with other international airlines to enhance their competitiveness.

1997: Teamed with Japan Airlines to offer service to Osaka and Tokyo

In 1997, THY teamed with Japan Airlines to offer service to Osaka and Tokyo. In 1997, THY began to operate flights to Chicago as its second destination in the US.

November 1998: Part of alliance's frequent-flyer program since November 1998

Turkish Airlines had been part of the Qualiflyer alliance's frequent-flyer program since November 1998.

1998: Teamed with Japan Airlines to offer service to Osaka and Tokyo

In 1998, THY teamed with Japan Airlines to offer service to Osaka and Tokyo. Jointly operated flights soon followed with Austrian Airlines, Swissair, and Croatia Airlines.

January 2000: New terminal opened at Istanbul Atatürk Airport

In January 2000, a new terminal opened at Istanbul Atatürk Airport.

October 2000: THY withdrew from the Swissair-led Qualiflyer alliance

On 29 October 2000, THY withdrew from the Swissair-led Qualiflyer alliance to help attract a strategic investor for their privatization.

2001: Antalya-Frankfurt route added

In 2001, an Antalya-Frankfurt route was added through a code-sharing agreement with Sun Express.

2001: Economic crisis led to traffic reduction

Throughout most of 2001, Turkey underwent an economic crisis, leading to a reduction in traffic on domestic routes in particular. THY managed to survive after the September 11 attacks on the United States without a government bailout or mass layoffs.

2003: Routes closed due to war and SARS

In 2003, the war in Iraq prompted Turkish Airlines to close some routes in the Persian Gulf, while flights to Asia were suspended during the SARS epidemic. However, the airline soon recovered, increasing traffic on existing routes and adding service to Delhi after an 11-year lapse.

2003: Tourism was rising

Tourism was rising, with 20 million people expected to visit the country in 2005 versus 12 million in 2003.

2004: Fleet expansion program kicked off

In 2004, another fleet expansion program kicked off at Turkish Airlines. In July 2004, the airline announced a $2.8 billion order of 36 jets from Airbus, plus an order for 15 Boeing 737s.

2004: Revived privatization program

In 2004, the privatization program was revived with a public offering of 20% of shares on the Istanbul Stock Exchange. The Turkish government-owned 75% of shares after the offering, which raised $170 million.

2005: Divested its holding in Cyprus Turkish Airlines

In 2005, THY divested its 50% holding in Cyprus Turkish Airlines (Kıbrıs Türk Hava Yolları).

December 2006: Integration process beginning in December 2006

The 18-month Star Alliance integration process began in December 2006.

April 2008: Joined the Star Alliance

On April 1 2008, Turkish Airlines joined the Star Alliance after an 18-month integration process.

October 2008: Picked as the best bidder in an auction for B&H Airlines shares

On 29 October 2008, the Bosnian government announced that Turkish Airlines had been picked as the best bidder in an auction for B&H Airlines shares.

2010: Plans to spend $350 million on a new technical and training facility

By 2010, Turkish Airlines was planning to spend $350 million on a new technical and training facility at Istanbul's underutilized Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. Turkish Technic employed 2,700 workers and was planning to hire another 2,000 by 2010. THY also had three flight simulators and offered flight training services.

December 2011: Plans to modernize the Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia

In December 2011, the Turkish government unveiled plans to modernize the Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia.

2011: Grew its presence in Africa significantly

Through the 2010s, Turkish Airlines grew its presence in Africa significantly, going from serving 14 African cities in 2011 to 52 six years later.

March 2012: Resumed flights to Somalia

In March 2012, Turkish Airlines became the first international carrier to resume flights to Somalia since the start of that country's civil war in the early 1990s.

2013: Increased number of flight points to 241 destinations worldwide

By the end of 2013, Turkish Airlines had increased their number of flight points to 241 destinations worldwide. The airline began increasing operations at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.

August 2016: Announced a profit collapse to a loss of 198 million Euros

In August 2016, Turkish Airlines announced a profit collapse to a loss of 198 million Euros for the second quarter of 2016. Turkish Airlines also announced an overall record loss of 1.9 billion Turkish Lira ($644.4 million) for the first half of 2016.

2016: Flights between Turkey and the United States were banned

Following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt, the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily banned flights between Turkey and the United States. This ban was lifted on 18 July, and Turkish Airlines resumed flights to the U.S. on 19 July after a three-day disruption.

2017: Airline recover, with financial results for 2017

In 2017, the airline recovered, with financial results for 2017 showing an almost 35% increase in turnover, and a return to profitability.

2017: Announced significant reductions in operations for the upcoming 2016–2017 schedule period

Turkish Airlines already announced significant reductions in operations for the upcoming 2016–2017 schedule period with frequency cuts to 45 European and 13 intercontinental routes.

2018: Air Albania was established

In 2018 Air Albania was established as a public–private partnership with Turkish Airlines.

June 2024: Operates scheduled services to 352 destinations

As of June 2024, Turkish Airlines operates scheduled services to 352 destinations including cargo in Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Americas. The airline serves more destinations non-stop from a single airport than any other airline in the world and flies to 131 countries, more than any other airline. Turkish Cargo serves 82 destinations with 24 cargo aircraft.

2025: Turkish Airlines withdrew its shareholding

By late 2025, Air Albania faced financial difficulties and legal disputes, and Turkish Airlines withdrew its shareholding.

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