Istanbul: Europe's largest wide-body aircraft engine maintenance center will be established at Istanbul Airport, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, the Turkish transport minister announced Thursday. "Through our collaboration with Rolls-Royce, we will become Europe's largest wide-body aircraft engine maintenance center. We expect our facility to reach an annual engine maintenance capacity of 200, generating $1.5 billion in annual revenue for Turkish Airlines," Abdulkadir Uraloglu said during the groundbreaking ceremony in Istanbul.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, Uraloglu mentioned that with the total investment value exceeding 100 billion Turkish liras ($2.32 billion) across eight locations, primarily Istanbul Airport, eight mega projects were initiated. These projects include the world's largest in-flight catering facility and the second phase of SmartIST, the world's largest air cargo terminal.
Uraloglu highlighted that, thanks to a special concession from Rolls-Royce, high-tech repairs could be carried out in Trkiye, emphasizing that these repairs would generate over $2.5 billion in additional revenue within 22 years. The project will create a total of 1,000 new jobs, including over 900 qualified technical personnel, increasing the skilled workforce in Trkiye's aviation sector and providing young people with global-level experience.
"These investments are not just facilities; they are tangible symbols of Trkiye's determined rise in global aviation leadership, the momentum it adds to our economy, and our vision for the future," Uraloglu stated. He emphasized Trkiye's strategic geographical location, situated between Asia, Europe, and Africa, as a significant advantage.
The minister remarked on the project's transformative impact, mentioning Turkish Airlines' new chapter at the pinnacle of aviation. He also noted that on January 4, a record-breaking 2,177 transit flights were achieved, surpassing the previous record of 1,906 flights on August 31, 2025. Total air traffic reached over 2.5 million in 2025, showing a 9.3% increase compared to 2024.
Uraloglu further discussed the expansion of Turkish Cargo. SmartIST, the hub of Turkish Cargo, is now the largest air cargo terminal in Europe and the third largest globally under one roof. The facility's area will expand from 205,000 to 410,000 square meters, and its cargo handling capacity will increase from 2.2 million tons to 4.5 million tons, propelling Turkish Cargo to global leadership. The new catering facility will be the world's largest aircraft catering center, serving 500,000 people daily and enhancing the travel experience with Turkish Airlines.
Uraloglu concluded by stressing that these investments would strengthen Turkish Airlines and the Turkish economy. "Within the scope of these massive investments totaling 100 billion Turkish liras, 26,000 new jobs will be created in 2026, and our aviation ecosystem will continue to grow," he said.