Turkish Airlines Powers Turkiye’s Aviation Training Breakthrough With 12 Homegrown HAVELSAN Flight Simulators to Strengthen Pilot Safety, Global Travel and Historic Fleet Expansion

Written By: Soumava Chakrabarty

Soumava Chakrabarty

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July 23, 2026 11:47 GMT+5:30

Turkish Airlines, HAVELSAN, flight simulators, pilot training, aviation safety, global travel and Türkiye aviation technology have been brought together under a major new agreement designed to expand the flag carrier’s training capacity. Twelve new simulation devices will be supplied as preparations are advanced for a fleet of more than 800 aircraft by 2033. Through the investment, greater training capacity will be created across three campuses, while new simulator hangars and a larger Flight Training Center are developed. Safer operations, consistent crew preparation and the long-term expansion of international air connectivity are expected to be supported.

Twelve New Training Devices Will Strengthen Pilot Preparation

Full Flight Simulators are designed to reproduce the experience of operating an aircraft from the cockpit. Aircraft controls, instruments, visual environments and different operating conditions can be recreated through these advanced systems. Pilots can therefore be trained for both routine procedures and complex situations without an aircraft being placed in the air.

Flight Training Devices are also used for structured instruction, cockpit familiarisation and procedural exercises. Through repeated simulator sessions, technical knowledge can be reinforced and cockpit coordination can be developed. Training can also be undertaken in a controlled environment where different operational conditions are reproduced safely.

By combining eight FFS units with four FTD devices, a broad training framework will be supported. Greater flexibility is expected to be provided for scheduling, recurrent instruction and the preparation of pilots for an expanding fleet.

New Campuses Will Expand the Airline’s Training Network

Training requirements generated by Turkish Airlines will be served by the expanded facilities. Services are also expected to be provided to other airlines. As a result, the infrastructure will not be limited to the carrier’s internal workforce. A broader role in regional and international aviation training could be supported by the three-campus network.

For travellers, the importance of these facilities will be found in the operational system behind every scheduled journey. Before commercial flights are operated, pilots are required to be prepared for aircraft procedures, cockpit systems and challenging scenarios. Additional simulator availability will allow more of this instruction to be delivered as the airline’s operations are enlarged.

Fleet Expansion Towards 2033 Will Be Supported

More than 800 aircraft are planned to be operated by Turkish Airlines by 2033. Such growth will require additional pilots, instructors, technical specialists and training resources. A larger simulator network will therefore be needed if preparation is to be kept aligned with fleet expansion.

The new agreement has been positioned as part of this strategic growth programme. Rather than being treated as a standalone technology purchase, the simulators will be integrated into a wider plan covering aircraft numbers, training campuses and long-term operational capacity.

As additional aircraft are introduced, more destinations and frequencies may be supported by the wider fleet. However, aircraft growth cannot be separated from workforce readiness. New pilots must be trained, while qualified flight crews must be provided with recurrent instruction at prescribed intervals.

By increasing the number of available devices, greater volumes of training can be accommodated without excessive dependence on aircraft-based sessions or limited simulator slots. More efficient scheduling can also be supported, particularly when training demand rises alongside fleet deliveries.

Existing HAVELSAN Simulators Are Already Being Operated

The new order has been built upon an established relationship between Turkish Airlines and HAVELSAN. Seven HAVELSAN full flight simulators are already being actively used at the airline’s training centres.

The existing equipment comprises three Airbus A320NEO/CEO simulators, three Boeing 737MAX simulators and one Boeing 737NG simulator. All seven devices have been manufactured by HAVELSAN and certified to EASA Level D standards.

Level D represents the highest classification applied to full flight simulators under the relevant certification framework. A highly realistic recreation of aircraft performance and cockpit operation is required for this level. Detailed visual, motion and system responses must be delivered so that approved training can be undertaken within the simulated environment.

Wide-Body Simulation Capability Will Be Advanced

A significant technological milestone will be represented by the agreement because HAVELSAN’s entry into wide-body flight simulation will be supported. Simulators for both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft are covered by the programme.

Wide-body aircraft are used extensively for long-distance international operations. Their systems, flight characteristics and operating requirements can differ from those associated with smaller narrow-body aircraft. Specialised simulation equipment is therefore required for pilots who are assigned to these fleets.

Through the new programme, advanced training solutions for a wider range of aircraft categories will be developed domestically. A more complete simulation ecosystem will consequently be established within Türkiye.

Long-haul connectivity is an important part of the Turkish Airlines network. The ability to prepare crews through locally manufactured wide-body simulation technology will support the infrastructure required behind those services. Although passengers will not interact directly with the equipment, the results will be carried into the cockpit through better access to aircraft-specific instruction.

Domestic Aviation Technology Will Receive a Major Boost

All 12 simulation devices will be developed and manufactured entirely in Türkiye. Domestic engineering, software development and advanced manufacturing capabilities will therefore be incorporated into the airline’s training expansion.

A significant contribution to Türkiye’s high-technology expertise is expected to be made through the agreement. Knowledge connected with aircraft simulation, visual systems, motion platforms, cockpit integration and training software will be strengthened as the project is delivered.

The domestic aviation ecosystem will also be supported through continued cooperation between the country’s flag carrier and HAVELSAN. Instead of being centred only on aircraft operations, aviation development will be extended into the technologies required to train flight crews.

Local production can provide closer technical coordination between the airline and the manufacturer. Training requirements can be assessed, system improvements can be considered and long-term support can be organised within the same national aviation environment.

Aviation Safety Will Be Reinforced Behind Every Journey

Simulator training is used because demanding situations can be reproduced without passengers, crews or aircraft being exposed to real-world danger. Emergency procedures, adverse weather, system malfunctions and unusual operational conditions can be practised repeatedly inside a controlled facility.

Decision-making can be evaluated by instructors, while procedural weaknesses can be identified before commercial duties are performed. Crew communication and coordination can also be strengthened through realistic cockpit exercises.

With additional devices available, a greater number of pilots can be accommodated across initial, conversion and recurrent training programmes. Training bottlenecks may also be reduced as the airline’s workforce is enlarged.

A direct operational foundation for reliable travel will therefore be provided by the investment. Passenger confidence is influenced not only by aircraft age, cabin products or route choice, but also by the preparation of the professionals responsible for each flight.

Global Travel Growth Will Be Backed by Training Capacity

Turkish Airlines has been recognised for the scale of its international network, and further expansion has been targeted through 2033. As new aircraft are added, training capacity must be increased at a comparable pace. Without sufficient instructors, simulators and campus facilities, planned fleet growth could not be supported effectively.

The agreement with HAVELSAN will help create the technical foundation required for that expansion. More pilots will be prepared, existing crews will be kept current and training services for other airlines will eventually be accommodated.

For the travel sector, the project should be viewed as a long-term infrastructure investment. New routes and added frequencies are made possible not only through aircraft orders but through the systems that allow those aircraft to be operated safely.

By 2028, the new Flight Training Center is scheduled to be completed. By 2033, more than 800 aircraft are intended to be operated, while one of Europe’s largest flight training centres is expected to be maintained across three campuses. Through these connected developments, Turkish Airlines’ global travel ambitions will be supported by domestically produced simulation technology and expanded pilot preparation.

[Source:- Turkish Airlines Newsroom]

Image Credit:- Turkish Airlines