Turkey's Pegasus to begin work soon on new plane order for delivery beyond 2029

Turkey's Pegasus Airlines will in the coming months begin work on its next plane order as it looks to continue its fast-paced growth into the next decade, the budget carrier's CEO told Reuters on Sunday. Pegasus, which has seen a rapid recovery in travel after the pandemic, placed an order for 36 Airbus A321neo planes in July 2023, taking its total orders since 2012 to 150. Sixteen will be delivered this year and the remaining 52 by the end of 2029, Guliz Ozturk said in an interview. Production slots at the two dominant planemakers Airbus and Boeing are sold out for many years, resulting in long wait times for airlines wishing to replace and grow their fleets. "Beyond 2029, as long we want to grow - and we want to grow, the demand is there - we have to go out with a new order," Ozturk said, adding that there are no specific decisions or studies yet. Supply chain problems and delays in aircraft deliveries are in focus this week as airline CEOs, planemakers, engine manufacturers and lessors gather in Dubai for the IATA annual meeting.<br/>