Turkish low-cost carrier AJet, formerly branded as AnadoluJet, is in discussions with lessors about leasing dozens of aircraft due to delays with Boeing’s MAX delivery schedule. The airline had hoped to receive up to 36 Boeing
737 MAX aircraft over 2025 but will now seek alternative aircraft, with Airbus planes likely to be the focus.
AJet wants to lease 36 aircraft amid Boeing MAX delays
The Turkish carrier, a subsidiary of national carrier 
Turkish Airlines
, will continue pursuing its rapid fleet growth strategy despite setbacks with Boeing’s 737 MAX delivery delays. According to the airline’s CEO, it is in talks with unnamed lessors over leasing up to 36 aircraft, with possible purchasing options too. In an interview with Reuters, AJet CEO Kerem Sarp said,
“We’re in talks with lessors to provide 36 jets next year, with Airbus aircraft mainly in focus. We are looking to leasing and purchasing options.”
Photo: AJet
In line with its previously outlined growth strategy, AJet is looking to grow at a rate of 13% in terms of its available seats per kilometer (ASK) and hopes to serve 23 million passengers in 2025. However, with up to 36 737 MAX aircraft deliveries scheduled for next year now delayed, it is looking to aircraft models from Boeing’s rival, Airbus
, to fill in the gap. Sarp explained,
“We were expecting to be delivered 36 Boeing jets next year. But we are facing delays for the deliveries, due to problems at Boeing.”
Unlike its predecessor AnadoluJet, AJet operates as an independent airline. The new LCC received its own Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) in January before commencing operations in March. It has adopted the same dual-hub model of AnadoluJet, operating an extensive domestic and international network from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) and Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB).
Photo: Robert Way | Shutterstock
According to ch-aviation, AJet has just eight Boeing 737-800s under its own AOC but ultimately operates over 100 planes registered under parent carrier Turkish Airlines and others wet-leased in from multiple airlines. Turkish Airlines is still working on finalizing a deal for up to 150 737 MAX jets and also has a sizable order for over 190 Airbus A321neos, many of which will be handed over to AJet.
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Interestingly, fellow Turkish carrier Pegasus Airlines recently lodged a huge order for 200 737 MAX, 100 of which are firm orders and the remaining 100 as options. This was something of a coup for Boeing, which had lost Pegasus’ custom to rival Airbus before winning the Turkish airline back over.
Boeing MAX production updates
To say Boeing had a rough 2024 would be one of the understatements of the century. The company started the year with the January Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 plug door blowout incident and most recently faced a machinist strike that grounded its 737 MAX production to a complete halt.
Photo: Jonathan Hendry | Simple Flying
Having faced increased scrutiny from authorities over its production process, the company deliberately slowed its MAX production throughout the year to focus on quality control, dropping considerably below its targeted 38 airframes per month.
With the machinist strike coming to an end in early November, Boeing has since resumed MAX production and is shooting for a return to 38 planes per month by May 2025. While the strike ended on November 4th, it would take Boeing another month to resume MAX production as it focused on retraining its workforce.
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The manufacturer has emphasized quality and safety during the restart of the 737 MAX production.
