Turkish Airlines Chairman: ‘Disciplined Growth’ Will Define Next Phase

Turkish Airlines has spent the past decade building one of the world’s largest international networks. Now the carrier says its next phase will be more measured.

“Our focus today is disciplined growth,” Chairman Ahmet Bolat told Skift. “After a decade of rapid expansion, we are entering a phase where profitability, network quality, and resilience also take priority over pure scale.”

The change in strategy comes as the Istanbul-based carrier published a strong set of annual results on Thursday. It delivered $2.2 billion in profit from its main operations in 2025, with total revenue reaching $24 billion.

The company carried more than 92 million passengers last year – the highest in its history.

Key Risks in 2026

While demand remains strong, Bolat acknowledged that the airline is operating in an increasingly complex environment. “In 2026, key risks include ongoing geopolitical tensions, fuel price volatility, and global demand u