Turkish Airlines Boosts Cargo Power with Two Boeing 777 Freighters

Turkish Airlines is getting ready to boost its air cargo capacity with two Boeing 777-300ERSF freighters, following a new leasing agreement with AerCap, one of the world’s leading aircraft leasing companies.

Announced on October 29, 2026, the deal will bring two converted Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft into Turkish Airlines’ cargo fleet. Deliveries are scheduled between March and September 2027, adding more capacity to the airline’s growing international cargo operations.

Abu Dhabi Will Handle the Conversions

Before joining the fleet, both aircraft will undergo passenger-to-freighter conversions at Etihad Engineering’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The facility includes a dedicated Boeing 777-300ERSF conversion site, helping AerCap serve customers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The conversion process involves the structural and technical modifications needed to turn passenger aircraft into freighters.

AerCap Highlights a Long-Standing Partnership

Peter Anderson, AerCap’s Chief Commercial Officer, welcomed the opportunity to expand the company’s long-standing relationship with Turkish Airlines.

He noted that the two aircraft would provide additional cargo capacity while offering the operational advantages of the Boeing 777-300ERSF. He also highlighted Abu Dhabi’s role as an important regional hub, allowing the aircraft to be converted in the Middle East before delivery to Turkish Airlines.

The “Big Twin” Is Gaining Ground

Often nicknamed the Big Twin, the Boeing 777-300ERSF is a converted freighter based on the wide-body Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft.

AerCap delivered the programme’s first converted aircraft to launch customer Kalitta Air in September 2025. The company has since delivered aircraft to Fly Meta and signed additional leasing agreements with Ethiopian Airlines and China Southern Group.

The Turkish Airlines deal marks another step in expanding the aircraft’s presence in the global air cargo market.

What This Means for Turkish Airlines

For Turkish Airlines, the agreement is about more than adding two aircraft. It is another move towards strengthening its long-haul cargo operations and increasing the capacity available to serve international markets.

With deliveries expected between March and September 2027, the two Boeing 777-300ERSFs will give the airline additional wide-body freighter capacity and support its ambitions in the competitive global air cargo industry.

As demand for international cargo services continues to shape the aviation sector, these aircraft could become a valuable addition to Turkish Airlines’ expanding cargo operations.