Turkish Airlines to purchase planes

THY general manager Abdurrahman Gundogdu said he expected the talks to be completed by the end of the year. He told reporters that 12 or 13 rented aircraft would enter the fleet in June in place of 11 RJ type planes which have been temporarily withdrawn from the fleet for maintenance. "We have signed contracts on 12-13 planes. These will be put to use at the end of May or in June," Gundogdu said at a signing ceremony in Istanbul.

The number of planes in the THY fleet fell to 53-54 planes as a result of the suspension of the 11 BAE Systems (BA) regional jets. "This figure will rise to 65 in June. Our fleet will rise further this year to 67-68 (planes)," he said.

The state-run airline, slated for privatisation, said late last year it would acquire 19 new aircraft.