Boeing Turns Focus to Turkey’s Vision 2023 with Dreamliner Deal

Boeing on Friday agreed to participate in a so-called national aerospace initiative with Turkey as part of a wide-ranging agreement anchored by a 40-aircraft order for 787-9 Dreamliners from Turkish Airlines. Dubbed the Boeing Turkey National Aerospace Initiative, the plan calls for Boeing’s direct support of the Turkish aerospace industry in conjunction with economic targets set by a program established to coincide with the Republic of Turkey’s centenary known as Vision 2023. Boeing and Turkish Airlines signed the aircraft MOU during a visit to New York by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the United Nations General Assembly.

"This order is set to play a key role in our growing business in the years to come, and we look forward to continuing our relationship further with Boeing,” said Turkish Airlines chairman Ilker Ayci. “During the talks to finalize the order, we are strictly evaluating the $1 billion worth of business volume for the local Turkish supplier industry.”

The initiative outlines a strategic framework that aligns Boeing investment and programs with the government, Turkish airlines, aerospace service companies and industry suppliers in the areas of research, engineering and skills development. Vision 2023 calls for Turkey to more than triple exports to $500 billion from $150 billion in 2016 and become one of the world’s top 10 economies. It now ranks 18^th.

“Boeing's relationship with Turkey spans more than 70 years, and we have outstanding long-term partnerships,” said Boeing vice chairman Ray Conner. “Working together with Turkey, we are now taking our collaboration to the next level, which will accelerate the growth of the Turkish aerospace industry while achieving Boeing's long-term objective to expand its presence in the marketplace.”