Turkish Airlines to Lease Two AerCap Cargo Freighters
The aircraft are scheduled for delivery to the airline between March and September 2027.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Transportation
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AerCap is expanding its freighter fleet by leasing two Boeing 777-300ERSF converted aircraft to Turkish Airlines. The conversion of these planes will take place at the Etihad Engineering facility in Abu Dhabi.
Why it matters
These agreements provide Turkish Airlines with vital additional cargo capacity to meet global shipping demands. The move also strengthens the regional conversion capabilities provided by the Etihad Engineering site.
AerCap is leasing two Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters to Turkish Airlines. This follows the company's first delivery of this specific aircraft type to Kalitta Air in September 2025.
The players
AerCap
This global aircraft leasing company manages a massive fleet and provides comprehensive fleet solutions to airlines worldwide.
Turkish Airlines
Based in Istanbul, this flag carrier operates an extensive international network of passenger and cargo services.
Etihad Engineering
This Abu Dhabi-based organization provides comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for civil and military aircraft.
Kalitta Air
This American cargo airline specializes in worldwide air charter services for various freight types.
The details
The aircraft will undergo a specialized conversion process at the Etihad Engineering maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Abu Dhabi. This regional hub allows for the modification of the planes prior to their final handover to the carrier.
Timeline
September 2025: AerCap delivered its first Boeing 777-300ERSF freighter to Kalitta Air.
March 2027: The earliest scheduled delivery date for the aircraft to Turkish Airlines.
September 2027: The latest scheduled delivery date for the aircraft to Turkish Airlines.
Market Landscape
The lease agreements involving the Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighter reflect a broader industry trend toward repurposing wide-body passenger jets to meet global air cargo demand. This strategy allows major lessors like AerCap to position themselves competitively against the rising volume of international logistics traffic.
For customers, these additions represent a significant expansion of cargo capacity for Turkish Airlines, potentially improving the reliability and volume of global shipping services. While individual travelers may not see immediate changes, the increased freight throughput supports broader supply chain availability.
The takeaway
This partnership highlights the growing importance of third-party conversion facilities in maintaining global cargo infrastructure. Air cargo operators are increasingly relying on these specialized modifications to extend the lifecycle of high-capacity aircraft.
Further reading
For more on industry logistics and fleet updates, visit the Transportation section.
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