AJet Accelerates Fleet Transformation with Five Airbus A321neo Aircraft from BOC Aviation

AeroMorning – John Smith – July 9, 2026

Turkish Airlines’ Low-Cost Subsidiary Expands Next-Generation Fleet

AJet, the wholly owned low-cost subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, is continuing its rapid expansion strategy with a new agreement to lease five Airbus A321neo aircraft from Singapore-based aircraft lessor BOC Aviation.

The agreement, announced by BOC Aviation on 9 July 2026, covers five Airbus A321neo aircraft from the lessor’s existing Airbus orderbook. The aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines and are scheduled for delivery in 2028.

The transaction strengthens the relationship between BOC Aviation and the Turkish Airlines Group while providing AJet with additional capacity to support its fleet modernisation programme, network expansion plans and long-term sustainability objectives.

A Strategic Step in AJet’s Rapid Development

According to BOC Aviation, the agreement represents the first direct leasing transaction between the Singapore-based lessor and AJet.

Paul Kent, Chief Commercial Officer of BOC Aviation, said the company was pleased to extend its long-standing partnership with the Turkish Airlines Group by adding AJet as a customer.

The new aircraft will allow AJet to continue expanding its operations while benefiting from the economic advantages of the latest generation of narrowbody aircraft.

Kerem Sarp, Chief Executive Officer of AJet, said the introduction of additional Airbus A321neo aircraft would represent an important milestone in the airline’s development strategy.

The aircraft will contribute to:

• fleet modernisation;
• network expansion;
• improved operational efficiency;
• lower fuel consumption;
• progress toward the airline’s sustainability objectives.

Airbus A321neo: The Backbone of Modern Medium-Haul Growth

The Airbus A321neo has become one of the most successful single-aisle aircraft worldwide, combining high capacity, long range and significantly improved economics compared with previous-generation aircraft.

Depending on configuration, the aircraft can accommodate more than 220 passengers and offers:

• up to approximately 20% lower fuel consumption compared with previous-generation narrowbody aircraft;
• reduced CO₂ emissions;
• lower external noise levels;
• a range of approximately 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 kilometres).

The five aircraft leased by AJet will be equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM GTF engines, providing improved fuel efficiency and lower operating costs.

The A321neo has become particularly attractive for airlines seeking to increase capacity on medium- and long-range routes without introducing widebody aircraft. Its additional seats and extended range allow carriers to operate high-demand routes more efficiently while maintaining the flexibility of a single-aisle fleet.

AJet: A Fast-Growing Member of the Turkish Airlines Group

AJet was created from the transformation of AnadoluJet, the regional and low-cost brand originally established by Turkish Airlines. The airline was officially rebranded as AJet in 2024 and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Turkish Airlines.

The carrier focuses on point-to-point operations while benefiting from the financial strength, operational experience and infrastructure of one of the world’s largest airline groups.

AJet operates mainly from:

• Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport;
• Ankara Esenboğa Airport;
• Antalya Airport.

Its network covers domestic destinations throughout Türkiye as well as international markets across:

• Europe;
• North Africa;
• the Middle East;
• the Caucasus;
• Central Asia.

The airline currently serves approximately 90 destinations across more than 30 countries.

A Large Mixed Airbus-Boeing Fleet: An Unusual Model Among Low-Cost Airlines

Unlike most major low-cost carriers, which generally operate a single aircraft family, AJet maintains a mixed Airbus and Boeing narrowbody fleet.

As of mid-2026, AJet operates approximately 128 aircraft, according to fleet tracking data from Planespotters. The fleet includes Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft as well as Airbus A320 Family aircraft, including A320ceo, A320neo and A321neo models.

This operating model is unusual in the low-cost sector.

Many major low-cost airlines have historically selected a single aircraft family:

• Ryanair operates an almost exclusively Boeing 737 fleet;
• easyJet operates an Airbus A320 Family fleet;
• Wizz Air operates Airbus A320 Family aircraft;
• Southwest Airlines has built its model around the Boeing 737.

AJet’s mixed fleet is primarily the result of its evolution within the Turkish Airlines Group rather than a traditional low-cost fleet strategy.

Following the transformation of AnadoluJet into AJet, the airline inherited aircraft transferred from Turkish Airlines and added leased aircraft from different international lessors, resulting in a combination of Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Operating two aircraft families normally increases complexity through additional pilot training requirements, maintenance procedures and spare parts inventories. However, AJet benefits from Turkish Airlines’ extensive engineering, maintenance and operational expertise with both Airbus and Boeing fleets, which significantly reduces the disadvantages usually associated with operating a mixed fleet.

The arrival of additional Airbus A321neo aircraft will progressively increase the proportion of new-generation Airbus aircraft within AJet’s fleet while maintaining operational flexibility.

A Diversified Leasing Strategy

The BOC Aviation agreement is part of a broader fleet expansion programme based largely on operating leases.

In recent years, AJet has secured additional aircraft through several major leasing companies, including:

• Avolon;
• Carlyle Aviation Partners;
• SMBC Aviation Capital.

These agreements demonstrate AJet’s strategy of diversifying its aircraft sourcing while avoiding the capital requirements associated with direct aircraft purchases.

Using operating leases also allows the airline to adjust capacity more rapidly in response to market demand and manufacturer delivery constraints.

BOC Aviation Strengthens Its Position in the Narrowbody Leasing Market

For BOC Aviation, the agreement with AJet highlights continued demand for new-generation Airbus A320neo Family aircraft.

Headquartered in Singapore, BOC Aviation is one of the world’s largest aircraft operating lessors, with a portfolio exceeding 800 owned, managed and committed aircraft and engines leased to airlines worldwide.

The company’s extensive Airbus orderbook provides customers with access to new aircraft deliveries at a time when Airbus production capacity remains heavily constrained by strong global demand.

AJet’s Long-Term Ambition

Although AJet does not publish separate financial results, the airline has become one of the fastest-growing low-cost carriers in the region.

Chief Executive Officer Kerem Sarp has outlined ambitious development targets, including a future fleet of around 200 aircraft and approximately 23 million annual passengers, with international operations expected to represent more than half of total traffic.

The five Airbus A321neo aircraft from BOC Aviation will contribute to this expansion by increasing available capacity, improving fuel efficiency and supporting the airline’s objective of building a younger and more competitive fleet.

Conclusion: Building a Regional Aviation Powerhouse

The agreement between AJet and BOC Aviation is more than a simple aircraft lease transaction. It represents another step in the transformation of AJet from a regional Turkish carrier into a major low-cost operator connecting Europe, Türkiye and surrounding markets.

Backed by Turkish Airlines’ industrial capabilities and supported by a growing fleet of next-generation aircraft, AJet is positioning itself as one of the most ambitious low-cost carriers in the wider Europe–Middle East region.

The introduction of additional Airbus A321neo aircraft demonstrates the airline’s commitment to fleet modernisation, while the partnership with BOC Aviation reinforces the growing role of aircraft leasing companies in supporting airline expansion strategies.