History of Turkish Airlines in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 18, 2026

Turkish Airlines is the national flag carrier of Turkey, headquartered in Istanbul. Founded in 1933, it has grown into one of the world's most expansive airlines, serving more countries than any other carrier. Operating from its primary hub at Istanbul Airport, the airline connects over 300 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Renowned for its extensive flight network, Turkish Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance and has received numerous awards for its high-quality onboard service, catering, and business-class offerings. The airline plays a pivotal role in Turkey's tourism and economic strategy, positioning Istanbul as a major global transit bridge between East and West. With a modern and rapidly expanding fleet, it remains a dominant force in the international aviation industry, consistently focusing on network connectivity and passenger experience.

May 1933: Establishment of Turkish State Airlines

On 20 May 1933, Turkish Airlines was founded as the Turkish State Airlines under the Ministry of National Defense, marking the beginning of its operations with a fleet that included Curtiss Kingbirds, Junkers F 13s, and a Tupolev ANT-9.

1935: Administrative Transfer and Renaming

In 1935, the airline underwent a restructuring, moving from the Ministry of National Defense to the Ministry of Public Works, and was rebranded as the General Directorate of State Airlines.

1938: Transfer to Ministry of Transportation

In 1938, as part of continued organizational shifts, the airline was moved to operate under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation.

1945: Introduction of Douglas DC-3 and C-47 Aircraft

In 1945, Turkish Airlines began phasing in Douglas DC-3 and Douglas C-47 aircraft into their operational fleet to support their growing aviation activities.

1947: Inauguration of International Flights

Marking a significant milestone in 1947, the airline transitioned from a domestic-only carrier to an international provider by launching flight services connecting Ankara, Istanbul, and Athens.

1956: Reorganization as Türk Hava Yolları A.O.

In 1956, the Turkish government reorganized the national airline under the name Türk Hava Yolları A.O. (THY) with a capital of TRY 60 million, subsequently joining the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

1957: Strategic Partnership with BOAC

In 1957, the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) acquired a 6.5 percent shareholding in the airline and began providing technical support, a partnership that lasted for approximately 20 years.

1967: First Jet Acquisition

In 1967, Turkish Airlines marked a major milestone by adding its first jet aircraft, the McDonnell Douglas DC-9, to its fleet.

1971: Addition of Boeing 707s

Turkish Airlines expanded its jet fleet in 1971 by incorporating three Boeing 707 aircraft into service.

1972: Introduction of McDonnell Douglas DC-10

In 1972, Turkish Airlines further modernized its capabilities by introducing the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft into its operational fleet.

1973: Introduction of Fokker F28

Continuing its fleet development, Turkish Airlines put the Fokker F28 aircraft into active service in 1973.

1974: Turkish Airlines Flight 981 Crash

In 1974, Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crashed near Ermenonville, France, due to a design flaw that caused the cargo door to fail during flight, leading to the deaths of 346 people and marking it as the deadliest aviation disaster at that time.

1983: End of period of frequent accidents

By the year 1983, the airline had experienced a series of seven accidents occurring over the preceding nine-year period, contributing to a challenging era for the company's safety record.

1983: Modernization of Turkish Airlines

In 1983, a new government took office in Turkey and identified Turkish Airlines (THY) as a crucial national gateway, initiating a significant modernization program to transform the airline into a contemporary global carrier with one of the world's youngest fleets.

1984: Expansion of Infrastructure and Capital

In 1984, Turkish Airlines established a modern technical center at Yeşilköy Airport to manage aircraft maintenance and increased its capital to 60 billion TL following its classification as a state economic enterprise.

1985: Introduction of Airbus A310 into Fleet

In 1985, Turkish Airlines expanded its operational capabilities by introducing the Airbus A310 aircraft into its fleet.

1986: Launch of Flights to Singapore

Building on the acquisition of new aircraft in 1985, Turkish Airlines successfully added Singapore as a new international destination in 1986.

1987: Financial Losses and Fleet Expansion

In 1987, Turkish Airlines (THY) reported financial losses, which were primarily attributed to the high costs associated with financing their acquisition of twelve new Airbus A310 aircraft.

1987: Inauguration of New York City Route

In 1987, Turkish Airlines expanded its reach to North America by establishing a new flight route to New York City with a stopover in Brussels.

1988: Continued Financial Challenges

Throughout 1988, Turkish Airlines continued to experience financial losses, a situation heavily impacted by the ongoing high payment obligations for its recently acquired Airbus A310 fleet.

1990: Order of Airbus A340 aircraft

In 1990, Turkish Airlines placed an order for five Airbus A340 aircraft, including an option for five additional planes, to facilitate non-stop travel to East Asia and North America.

1993: First Airbus A340 delivery

The first Airbus A340 aircraft ordered by Turkish Airlines was officially delivered to the company in 1993.

July 1994: Launch of Nonstop Service to New York City

In July 1994, Turkish Airlines initiated its first nonstop flight service to New York City, marking a period of significant growth for the company in North American markets.

1995: Capital Increase and Fleet Modernization in 1995

In 1995, Turkish Airlines increased its capital to 10 trillion TL and updated its fleet by converting three Boeing 727 aircraft into freighters while disposing of its DC-9 fleet. Despite achieving a $6 million profit on $1 billion in revenue, the company faced significant financial challenges due to Turkey's high inflation rates.

1996: Deregulation of the Turkish domestic aviation market

In 1996, the Turkish domestic market was deregulated, which permitted charter airlines to begin operating scheduled flights, leading to increased competition for Turkish Airlines.

1997: Partnership with Japan Airlines and US expansion

In 1997, Turkish Airlines initiated a marketing agreement with Japan Airlines to provide services to Osaka and Tokyo and expanded its US presence by launching flights to Chicago.

November 1998: Participation in Frequent-Flyer Program

Since November 1998, Turkish Airlines had been an active participant in the Qualiflyer alliance's frequent-flyer program before their eventual withdrawal in 2000.

1998: Expansion of Japan service

Building on the partnership started the previous year, Turkish Airlines continued its collaborative service efforts with Japan Airlines into 1998.

January 2000: Istanbul Atatürk Airport Terminal Opening

In January 2000, a new terminal facility was inaugurated at Istanbul Atatürk Airport to support growing operations.

October 2000: Withdrawal from Qualiflyer Alliance

On 29 October 2000, Turkish Airlines officially withdrew from the Swissair-led Qualiflyer alliance, a strategic move intended to facilitate the process of attracting investors for the airline's privatization.

2001: Turkish Airlines' Financial Survival Strategy During 2001 Crisis

During the 2001 economic crisis in Turkey and the global aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Turkish Airlines successfully avoided a government bailout by implementing cost-cutting measures. Throughout 2001, the company eliminated 300 middle management roles, laid off 400 part-time employees, reduced wages by 10 percent, and discontinued unprofitable flight routes to maintain operational viability.

2001: Antalya-Frankfurt Route Expansion

In 2001, Turkish Airlines expanded its flight network by launching an Antalya-Frankfurt route, established through a new code-sharing partnership with Sun Express.

2003: Baseline Tourism Levels

In 2003, Turkey hosted 12 million visitors, serving as a baseline for the tourism growth projections observed leading into 2005.

2003: Operational Adjustments and Route Expansion in 2003

In 2003, Turkish Airlines faced significant challenges, including route closures in the Persian Gulf due to the war in Iraq and the suspension of Asian flights during the SARS epidemic, but the company successfully recovered by boosting traffic on current routes and resuming service to Delhi after an 11-year gap.

2004: Turkish Airlines Massive Fleet Expansion

In 2004, Turkish Airlines initiated an ambitious fleet expansion program to maintain its status as one of the youngest fleets in Europe. This included a significant announcement in July 2004 for a $2.8 billion purchase agreement covering 36 Airbus jets and 15 Boeing 737 aircraft.

2004: Privatization and Public Offering

In 2004, the Turkish government revived its privatization program by offering 20% of Turkish Airlines shares on the Istanbul Stock Exchange, a move that successfully raised $170 million and reduced the government's stake to 75%.

2005: Divestment of Cyprus Turkish Airlines and Market Growth

In 2005, Turkish Airlines divested its 50% stake in Cyprus Turkish Airlines (Kıbrıs Türk Hava Yolları) while the country experienced a significant surge in tourism, expecting 20 million visitors compared to 12 million in 2003.

December 2006: Initiation of Star Alliance Integration

In December 2006, Turkish Airlines officially began an 18-month integration process to prepare for its entry into the Star Alliance network.

April 2008: Turkish Airlines Joins Star Alliance

On 1 April 2008, following the completion of an 18-month integration process, Turkish Airlines officially became the seventh European airline to join the 20-member Star Alliance.

October 2008: Turkish Airlines Wins Bid for B&H Airlines

On 29 October 2008, the government of Bosnia announced that Turkish Airlines was selected as the winning bidder to acquire shares in B&H Airlines.

2010: Expansion of Turkish Technic Workforce

By 2010, the Turkish Technic division, which managed maintenance for the airline and third-party fleets, aimed to increase its workforce by 2,000 employees to support its growing operations at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.

December 2011: Modernization plans for Aden Adde International Airport

In December 2011, the Turkish government announced plans to rehabilitate and modernize Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, as part of a post-conflict reconstruction effort that included building a new control tower and updating airport infrastructure.

March 2012: Resumption of international flights to Somalia

In March 2012, Turkish Airlines officially became the first international carrier to resume flights to Somalia, marking a significant milestone in aviation services to the country since its civil war began in the early 1990s.

2013: Expansion of Flight Destinations and Strategic Hub Positioning

By the end of 2013, Turkish Airlines expanded its global footprint to reach 241 total destinations, consisting of 199 international and 42 domestic locations, while simultaneously elevating Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to the status of a secondary hub.

2016-07-18: FAA Lifts Flight Ban

On 18 July 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lifted the temporary ban on flights between Turkey and the United States that had been imposed following the attempted coup.

2016-07-19: Resumption of U.S. Flights

On 19 July 2016, Turkish Airlines resumed its flight operations to the United States after a three-day service disruption caused by the previous security ban.

August 2016: Turkish Airlines reports significant financial losses and route reductions

In August 2016, Turkish Airlines disclosed a second-quarter loss of 198 million Euros and an overall first-half loss of 1.9 billion Turkish Lira, while projecting a 10 million passenger decline for 2016 and planning frequency cuts for 58 routes.

2017: Implementation of schedule reductions

During the 2016–2017 schedule period, which concluded in 2017, Turkish Airlines implemented significant reductions in operations, including frequency cuts to 45 European and 13 intercontinental routes.

June 2024: Turkish Airlines Network Expansion Status

As of June 2024, Turkish Airlines maintains scheduled flight services to 352 destinations across five continents, solidifying its position by serving more countries and more non-stop destinations from a single airport than any other global carrier.