The 14th Istanbul Airshow International Civil Aviation and Airports Fair was held from September 26-28 at Istanbul Atatürk Airport's International Terminal.

As a specialized fair, Istanbul Airshow hosted domestic and international industry professionals, bureaucrats, government officials, businesspeople, students, and technical staff during the first two days, with public access on the third day. Istanbul Airshow 2024 successfully brought together key industry players, from charter companies and brokers to Türkiye's national airline, Turkish Airlines, airline companies, terminal operators, flight schools, and aviation clubs. A total of 22 aircraft and helicopters, including business jets, training planes, firefighting aircraft, multipurpose aircraft, and helicopters, were exhibited in the static display area.

The Airshow featured the Airbus A220-300 regional passenger aircraft, as well as Dassault Falcon's new-generation twin-engine 6X and three-engine 8X business jets. Airbus proposes the A220-300 to meet Turkish Airlines' regional passenger aircraft needs. This year's A220-300 displayed at the Airshow belonged to Croatia Airlines, while Airbus had exhibited an airBaltic A220-300 in the previous fair. The General Directorate of Forestry displayed its firefighting equipment, including the T-70 helicopter with a 2.5-ton water capacity, the amphibious and tanker version AT-802 Air Tractor firefighting aircraft with a 3-ton water capacity, a Bell 429 firefighting management helicopter, and the Beechcraft King Air 350, known as OTAĞ, with advanced imaging and satellite systems. Rolls-Royce, known for its Trent engine family in the aviation sector, showcased the Trent 700 engine model. THY, which ordered 230 aircraft in total from Airbus (150 A321neos and 80 A350s), also signed an engine supply agreement with Rolls-Royce, making it the world's largest operator of the Trent XWB engine with its latest order.

Opening Ceremony

The 14th Istanbul Airshow International Civil Aviation and Airports Fair was officially opened by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir URALOĞLU. Other notable figures in the industry, including Director General of Civil Aviation Prof. Dr. Kemal YÜKSEK, General Director of the State Airports Authority (DHMI) Enes ÇAKMAK, Chairman of the Board of Turkish Airlines Prof. Dr. Ahmet BOLAT, CEO of Turkish Airlines (THY) Bilal EKŞİ, and CEO of Turkish Technic Inc. Mikail AKBULUT, also attended the Opening Ceremony held on Thursday, September 26, at the Opening and Congress Hall of the Fairground. The ceremony included discussions on the advancements, investments, and goals of Turkish civil and military aviation, as well as Türkiye's position in global civil aviation.

In his speech, Minister URALOĞLU emphasized the impacts of accessibility and speed in all areas, highlighting the significance of civil aviation at an international level. URALOĞLU underlined the importance of aviation as the fastest, safest, and most comfortable means of transport, vital for establishing international economic partnerships and developing foreign trade activities. He stressed that the Airshow is essential not only for the future of the aviation and aerospace sectors but also for the economic and socio-cultural future of nations. URALOĞLU remarked on the importance of air transport in the context of multinational production, cross-border financial flows, and the substantial scale of international trade. He stated Türkiye's strategic location with these words: "Our country, at a unique location where 1.4 billion people across 67 countries can be reached within a 4-hour flight, is naturally a bridge between Asia and Europe, at the center of the East-West corridor, and also at the core of the corridor from the Caucasus and Central Asia to Africa. With the bridges we have built in the skies, we have become a global aviation hub in the Eurasian region." He shared recent developments in Turkish civil aviation, mentioning that Türkiye has reached air transport agreements with 173 countries, allowing flights to 347 destinations across 131 countries in international routes. The Minister also gave information on new flight routes: "After long negotiations, we plan to commence flights to Santiago, Chile, via Istanbul-São Paulo-Santiago on December 18, 2024, with Turkish Airlines operating four frequencies weekly. This will be the first time Turkish Airlines flies to Chile. Additionally, as of December 4, 2024, Turkish Airlines is scheduled to start flights on the Istanbul-Kuala Lumpur-Sydney route. Following the launch of Melbourne flights earlier this year, Sydney will be the second new point in Australia. By the end of this year, we aim to reach 349 international flight destinations."

In his opening speech, the CEO of Turkish Airlines, Bilal EKŞİ, discussed Turkish civil aviation and THY's achievements and goals. He noted the continuous growth in fleet size, flight network, and personnel numbers, proudly stating that THY has long held the title of the airline that flies to most countries globally. He spoke about new routes opened in 2024: "With over 460 aircraft, we reach 130 countries and 349 destinations across six continents. In the coming months, we will connect Santiago and Sydney to the world through Istanbul, continuing to bridge global destinations. By 2033, with a fleet of 813 aircraft, we will be the world's third-largest airline." EKŞİ emphasized THY's commitment to providing safe and comfortable flights while strengthening its presence in the aviation ecosystem through its subsidiaries, noting: "Today, we support the aviation ecosystem in all areas, from maintenance to production, and we are expanding with our subsidiaries for this purpose. We have become a major cargo and technical center worldwide. We are also contributing to maintenance and repair activities, aircraft seating, cabin equipment, and flight simulators with our partners in civil aviation." EKŞİ elaborated on THY's future goals, noting, "With over 90,000 employees, we continue to grow. In the first half of the year, we increased our passenger count by 5% compared to 2023, reaching 40.6 million. Last year, when we celebrated our 90th anniversary, we shared our 2033 goals with the public, reaffirming our leadership ambition. In ten years, we will have the world's third-largest fleet. Our orders have commenced."

Director General of State Airports Authority Enes ÇAKMAK noted that DHMI has constructed airports, such as Istanbul Airport, Tokat Airport, Rize-Artvin Airport, and Çukurova International Airport, that rival or surpass many global airports in various respects, during this golden era of Turkish aviation. He highlighted that the Istanbul Airshow plays a key role in sharing industry innovations, technological advancements, and collaboration opportunities, enhancing global competitiveness.

General Director of Civil Aviation Prof. Dr. Kemal YÜKSEK highlighted the role of digitalization in the aviation sector, describing it as not only a trend shaping the future but also a guarantee of sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and safety. YÜKSEK highlighted the advantages brought by digitalization across various aspects, from aircraft design and air traffic management to passenger experiences and maintenance processes. Detailing innovations in aviation digitalization, he stated: "For instance, digital twin technology allows for the creation of digital models of aircraft and airports, enabling more efficient and cost-effective operations. AI-supported systems enhance air traffic management safety and allow for the early detection of potential faults in maintenance processes. Such innovations not only raise safety standards but also reduce costs, making the sector more competitive. Additionally, digitalization plays a crucial role in reducing environmental impacts that are in line with sustainable aviation goals. Route optimizations to reduce fuel consumption and energy efficiency initiatives to minimize carbon footprints are managed more effectively through digital platforms." YÜKSEK emphasized the significance of investments in digitalization for domestic and national aviation projects, asserting that digital solutions developed for both civil and military aviation would strengthen the Turkish civil aviation sector's position on the international stage, making it more powerful and competitive.

Following the speeches, the ribbon-cutting ceremony took place. Minister URALOĞLU, along with other officials, visited the stands of exhibiting companies like Airbus, Rolls-Royce, THY, and Turkish Technic to receive briefings on the products displayed. The Minister also toured the A220 regional passenger aircraft in the static display area, receiving information from Johan PELISSIER, Airbus's President of Region Europe and Head of Commercial Europe for Commercial Aircraft, and Simon WARD, President of Airbus Türkiye