Turkish Airlines wins 3 finance awards from Airline Economics

Turkish Airlines has been honoured with the 'European Supported Finance Deal of the Year' and 'European Overall Deal of the Year' awards at the prestigious Airline Economics ceremony. Additionally, Associate Professor Murat Şeker, the airline’s Member of the Board and the Executive Committee and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), was named 'European CFO of the Year'.

The awards ceremony was held by Airline Economics, the leading and largest finance & leasing global publication for the aviation sector, reaching industry professionals from lessors, investors, banks, airlines, law firms & MROs, in London, on September 9.

Turkish Airlines, which flies to more countries than any other airline, has expanded its financier base geographically by leveraging cost efficiency and minimising currency risks due to its diversified revenue structure. The recent financing of three Airbus A350 aircraft in Chinese Yuan by AVIC International Leasing and CCB Financial Leasing earned the airline the 'European Overall Deal of the Year' award.

In another notable achievement, Turkish Airlines secured the 'European Supported Finance Deal of the Year' award for financing two Airbus A350 aircraft with an ECA-guaranteed JOLCO structure in Japanese Yen, provided by BNP Paribas & Citibank and NTT TC Leasing consortium. This highlights the airline’s strong presence in the Japanese market since 2007.

Associate Professor Şeker’s recognition as 'European CFO of the Year' underscores his financial leadership, strategic vision, and deep expertise, which have been pivotal to Turkish Airlines’ sustained growth and success. Since becoming CFO in 2016, he has optimised financial operations, managed risks, and implemented forward-thinking strategies, helping the airline achieve significant milestones and maintain its competitive edge globally.

At the awards ceremony, Associate Professor Şeker expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am truly honoured to receive these awards and grateful to be a part of the strong Turkish Airlines family. This recognition reflects the hard work and commitment of everyone at the airline, and I am confident that the national flag carrier will continue to achieve every step towards its strategic goals."

Turkish Airlines’ aircraft financing team is renowned for achieving some of the lowest financing costs in the industry, thanks to its experienced staff with comprehensive knowledge of various aircraft financing structures.

The airline has received numerous financing awards from esteemed organisations such as 'Global Transport Finance', 'Airline Economics', ‘Airfinance Journal’, and ‘Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Turkey’ for its innovative financing models, many of which have been firsts in the industry since 2009. Over the past decade, Turkish Airlines has won 30 international aircraft finance awards for successful executions totalling approximately $16 billion.

Previous Awards

1.    2024 Airline Economics - Global Lease Deal of the Year Award
2.    2024 Airline Economics - JOLCO Deal of the Year
3.    2024 Airline Economics - Supported Finance Deal of the Year
4.    2023 Airline Economics - Asia-Pacific Lease of the Year
5.    2022 Airfinance Journal - Europe Deal of the Year
6.    2022 Airfinance Journal - Structured Lease Deal of the Year
7.    2022 Airline Economics - Global Lease Deal of the Year Award
8.    2022 Airline Economics - European Lease Deal of the Year
9.    2020 Airline Economics - Lease Deal of the Year (Europe)
10.    2020 Airline Economics - Supported Finance Deal of the Year (Europe)
11.    2019 Bonds, Loans and Sukuk - Transport Finance Deal of the Year (Middle East)
12.    2019 Airline Economics - Supported Finance Deal of the Year
13.    2018 Airline Economics - Lease Deal of the Year
14.    2018 Global Transport Finance - Tax Lease Deal of the Year
15.    2018 Bonds, Loans and Sukuk - Transport Finance Deal of the Year (Middle East)
16.    2017 Airfinance Journal - Tax Lease Deal of the Year
17.    2017 Global Transport Finance - Unique Deal of the Year
18.    2017 Bonds, Loans and Sukuk – Trade & Export Finance Deal of the Year (Middle East)
19.    2017 Bonds, Loans and Sukuk - Transport Finance Deal of the Year (Middle East)
20.    2017 Bonds, Loans and Sukuk - Structured Finance Deal of the Year (Middle East)
21.    2015 Airfinance Journal - Capital Markets Deal of the Year 
22.    2015 Airfinance Journal - Tax Lease Deal of the Year 
23.    2015 Airline Economics - Editor’s Deal of the Year
24.    2015 Airline Economics - European Deal of the Year
25.    2015 Global Transport Finance - EETC Deal of the Year (Europe)
26.    2015 Bonds, Loans and Sukuk – Trade & Export Finance Deal of the Year (Middle East)
27.    2015 Airfinance Journal - Engine Deal of the Year  

Innovations

•    First airline to secure Chinese Yuan denominated aircraft financing outside of China (2024)
•    The first ever Itasca Re Insurance Covered Finance Lease (2023)
•    The first ever ACG Aircraft Financing Solutions (AFS) guaranteed Italian tax lease (2021)
•    The first ever UKEF guaranteed French tax lease (2020)
•    The first ever ACG Aircraft Financing Solutions (AFS) guaranteed finance lease (2019)
•    The first ever BALTHAZAR guaranteed French tax Lease (2019)
•    The first ever AFIC guaranteed Italian tax lease (2018)
•    The first ever SACE guaranteed French tax lease (2018)
•    The first ever AFIC guaranteed French tax lease (2017)
•    The first ever JPY denominated EETC JOLCO (2015) 
•    The first ever US Ex-Im guaranteed French Tax Lease (2015)
•    The first ever EECA guaranteed Italian tax lease (2014)
•    The first ever Bond Convertible JPY Ex-Im guaranteed engine lease (2014)
•    The first ever EECA guaranteed Italian Tax Lease in JPY denomination (2014)
•    The first ever US Ex-Im guaranteed JPY denominated Convertible Bond (2013)
•    The first ever EECA guaranteed JOLCO Lease (2011)