Turkey Civilian Aerospace and Space

Given Turkey’s proximity to developed and emerging markets (over 50 countries are within a three-hour flight from Istanbul), and Istanbul’s role as a financial hub, Turkey’s aviation and aerospace sectors present enormous potential. The expansion of private airlines and the number of domestic and international flights over the past decade, there is a surge in total passenger and cargo traffic.

Growth in the aviation sector has contributed to a significant increase in the number of flight destinations within and outside of Turkey. Currently, airlines within Turkey fly to 56 domestic destinations from seven hubs and to 329 international destinations in 127 countries (2020). Turkish Airlines (THY) flies to more destinations nonstop from a single airport than any other airline in the world. There are more than 55 countries within narrow-body reach, which makes Istanbul a natural global hub for aviation.

THY currently has 371 aircraft. Turkish MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) companies like THY Technic, Pegasus Technic, and others are also competing to increase their share of the MRO market and expand their customer portfolios. According to aviation industry experts, 12% of airline industry costs pertain to aircraft maintenance, which provides significant opportunities for MRO companies.

The Turkish Space Agency (TUA) was established in December 2018 to develop technologies for rocket launches and space exploration and coordinate all commercial space activities. The Agency has a budget of around $1 billion. Turkey’s space sector is generally seen as an untapped market with significant opportunities for U.S. company involvement, as it is heavily import-reliant, specifically at the component level. In 2021, Turkey announced a new space program consisting of 10 ambitious targets that will bring new opportunities for U.S. companies, including a lunar mission in 2023—the centennial of the Republic of Turkey.

For information about the June 2022: USTDA-Sponsored Turkey Space Technologies Reverse Trade Mission, contact Ceren.Okumus@trade.gov.