Turkish Airlines is examining a possible addition of Airbus A320-family aircraft previously operated by Spirit Airlines as it pursues rapid fleet growth. No firm agreement or confirmed aircraft count has been announced.
The move would fit Turkish Airlines’ broader expansion strategy, which already includes major Airbus and Boeing orders. Airbus announced in 2023 that Turkish Airlines had ordered 220 aircraft, including A321s and A350s, while Boeing has said the carrier ordered up to 75 787 Dreamliners and is negotiating up to 150 737 MAX jets.
Spirit Airlines’ financial distress makes its Airbus narrowbodies a potential source of relatively affordable used aircraft. Turkish Airlines has not publicly detailed whether any ex-Spirit aircraft would be bought outright, taken through leasing structures, or assigned to a subsidiary.
Turkish Airlines has also been moving ahead with other fleet and network plans, including an Airbus A320-family presence already in service and a wider goal of expanding its fleet over the coming years. The possible Spirit aircraft would add short- to medium-haul capacity while larger new aircraft arrive later in the decade and into the 2030s.