Turkish Airlines (TK, Istanbul Airport) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bilal Eksi has confirmed the carrier is looking at expanding its AnadoluJet (Ankara Esenboga) budget carrier brand to encompass longhaul operations. AnadoluJet currently operates thirty-four B737-800s on domestic Turkish flights as well as regional services to Lefkosa in Northern Cyprus. The aircraft are chartered from Turkish Airlines and SunExpress (XQ, Antalya) as AnadoluJet does not have its own AOC.

Speaking to CAPA, Eksi said there is "some strategic discussion" on using AnadoluJet to expand into the long-haul market.

"There is no decision yet [but] Turkish Airlines can take a decision very rapidly if we see there is such room," he said.

Turkish Airlines recorded a net loss of USD77 million for 2016 against a net profit of USD1.7 billion for the year previous, blamed primarily on the June terrorist attack at Istanbul Atatürk Airport and an attempted military coup a month later. Aside from domestic troubles, it is also facing increased pressure from the Gulf carriers as well as emerging long-haul low-cost carriers in both Europe and Asia - two key passenger sources for its Istanbul global hub.