AJet (VF, Istanbul Sabiha Gökcen) obtained its Air Operator's Certificate on January 2, 2024, paving the way for the launch of operations as a standalone carrier before the Summer 2024 season.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu confirmed at a press conference that the entire certification process took just over four months with the application having been lodged in late August 2023.
The new low-cost carrier, which had operated under the AnadoluJet brand as a division of Turkish Airlines (TK, Istanbul Airport), will continue to focus on short- and medium-haul routes heavy on VFR and leisure demand. Turkish Airlines recently transferred ownership of five B737-800s to AJet to boost its capitalisation.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that AJet's fleet - which still operates exclusively under the Turkish Airlines' 'TK' code - comprises nine A320-200Ns, fourteen A321-200NX, seven B737-8s, and forty-five B737-800s. The airline also wet-leases in additional A320-200s, A321-200s, and B737-8s from SmartLynx Airlines and SmartLynx Airlines Malta. Turkish Airlines sees AJet as an important platform for growth and is aiming to expand its fleet to 200 aircraft. Chairman Ahmed Bolat said the LCC subsidiary will also benefit from Turkish's recent order for 150 A321neo (with a further 100 options), as the group aims to transition to new-generation narrowbodies as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines also disclosed that will proceed with the launch of long-awaited direct flights to Australia - specifically to Melbourne Tullamarine - although it has yet to announce any dates.
