Turkish Airlines Marks 500th Aircraft with Livery Honoring 100,000 Employees
Turkish Airlines unveils its 500th aircraft featuring a special livery of 100,000 employees.
By SOH Edit Team
Turkish Airlines has reached a major operational milestone as it prepares to introduce its 500th aircraft into service. The 500th aircraft, named “TK Family” was officially unveiled during a special launch held by the national flag carrier.
The newly unveiled aircraft features a distinctive livery composed of photographs of Turkish Airlines’ 100,000 employees and retirees. The design symbolises the airline’s emphasis on unity, corporate culture, and shared achievement, positioning human capital at the center of its growth narrative.
The unveiling reflected strong internal and external engagement, underscoring the airline’s commitment to inclusivity and institutional loyalty. As part of the unveiling program, the “TK Family” aircraft conducted a ceremonial flight operated under flight number TK500. The aircraft traced the number “500” in the sky, symbolically marking the transition into the airline’s next growth phase.
Leadership Perspective and Strategic Vision
Speaking at the event, Prof. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, emphasised the broader significance of the milestone, noting that the 500th aircraft represents 93 years of dedication, strategic ambition, and collective effort.
He highlighted the airline’s accelerated growth following 2003, when the fleet stood at 65 aircraft, and noted that Turkish Airlines now serves 356 destinations across six continents with a fleet exceeding 500 aircraft. He also referenced the airline’s long-term aspiration, once envisioned in its “When You Dream” campaign, describing the realisation of the 500th aircraft as a symbolic moment for the organization.
Turkish Airlines formally defined the milestone as the beginning of its “Second 500” phase rather than the conclusion of an expansion cycle. In line with its strategic objective to reach a fleet of 1,000 aircraft by 2036, the airline reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Türkiye’s position as a global aviation hub.
