Turkish Airlines (THY), its national flag carrier, has reviewed its order with Boeing and canceled ten aircraft from the previously planned order for 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from the planner. In a statement made by the airline carrier in Istanbul to the Public Disclosure Platform (CAP) on Thursday, Turkish Airlines said it had decided to cancel ten units and review its fleet due to the downturn in aviation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to the cancellation of ten Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, the Daily Sabha reports that a further 40 Boeing 737 MAX deliveries will now turn into options. Turkish Airlines can exercise its option right, provided it gives Boeing in writing on 21 December 2021. In its statement to the CAP, Turkish Airlines noted that 13 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft not yet delivered would be rescheduled in line. with the financial and operational capacity of the airlines.
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Pre COVID-19 THY wanted 75,737 MAX aircraft
Prior to the ongoing medical emergency of the COVID-19, Turkish Airlines decided to purchase 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft as it considered the aircraft essential for its long-term needs. This has now changed due to COVID-19 and the dramatic effect it has had on the number of people flying.
Following the crash of Lion Air Flight 610 on October 29, 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019, in which 346 people died, the Boeing 737 MAX was taken out of service and grounded while an investigation took place to determine the cause. determined. of the accidents.
After we came to the conclusion that the aircraft Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) was to blame for the fatal crashes, the MCAS software was fixed. The aircraft was cleared by the FAA and the European Union for Aviation Safety (EASA) in November 2020 to return to the air.
Turkish Airlines has 12 MAX aircraft
In December 2020, Turkish Airlines reached a settlement with Boeing on compensation for the global basis and the financial losses. At the time of the crash, Turkish Airlines had 11 Boeing 737 MAX 8s and one Boeing 737 MAX 9 in its fleet.
With 12 MAX aircraft in its fleet, Turkish Airlines wanted to re-employ the 737 MAX, but had to wait until it was cleared by Turkey’s civil aviation authority, the Directorate – General Civil Aviation (DGCA). This happened last week, leading to speculation that Turkish Airlines would resume Boeing 737 MAX flights on Monday 12 April.
Although it did not happen according to speculation, the plane finally took to the air again on Thursday 15 April.
TC-LCA is back in service
TC-LCA, a 2.7-year-old Boeing 737 MAX 8, took off from Istanbul Airport (IST) at 10:00 for a one-hour flight to the Turkish capital Ankara. The plane then diverts to Istanbul and lands at 13:00. Later in the afternoon, the plane took off again for the Aegean city of Izmir before landing in Istanbul again at 19:00.
So far, only TC-LCA has resumed service, but a few Turkish Airlines other MAX aircraft have operated test flights and should be back in service in the not too distant future.
Although the nature of the MAX was a major event for airlines that had the aircraft in their fleet, it was nothing compared to the financial impact that COVID-19 had on the industry. For this reason, Turkish Airlines and others are reviewing and customizing their order books.
What do you think of Turkish Airlines canceling some of its MAX orders, and do you think other airlines may follow suit? Tell us what you think in the comments.