Turkish Airlines on Thursday unveiled its 500th aircraft, featuring a special livery made up of photographs of 100,000 employees and retirees, marking a major fleet milestone for the national carrier at a ceremony held at Istanbul Airport.

The aircraft, named “TK Family,” joined the fleet at the end of 2025 and was presented during a launch event attended by airline executives, former senior officials, employees, retirees, and figures from the aviation industry, the carrier said.

The ceremony also brought together children of martyrs from all 81 provinces of Türkiye, alongside the cast of the airline’s “When You Dream” advertising campaign, underscoring what the company described as the collective effort behind its growth.

“Our 500th aircraft represents far more than a new addition to our fleet; it stands as a symbol of 93 years of dedication, determination, and shared vision,” said Ahmet Bolat, chairman of the board and executive committee. He noted that the airline had accelerated its expansion after 2003 and now serves 356 destinations across six continents with more than 500 aircraft.

Bolat said the carrier views the milestone as the start of a “Second 500” era, reiterating its target of reaching a fleet of 1,000 aircraft by 2036 as part of efforts to position Türkiye as a global aviation hub.

As part of the event, the TK Family aircraft operated a ceremonial flight under flight number TK500, tracing the number “500” in the sky. The flight carried airline executives, former senior leaders, employees, and the families of the martyrs’ children who attended the ceremony.

Turkish Airlines also showcased aircraft representing earlier fleet milestones—its 100th, 200th, 300th, and 400th deliveries—alongside a full-scale replica of its first aircraft, highlighting the carrier’s expansion over the past two decades.

The airline said it will continue investing in modern aircraft to improve efficiency and passenger comfort while pursuing a sustainable growth strategy. Industry analysts see the 500th aircraft as a symbolic marker of Turkish Airlines’ rapid expansion and its ambitions for the coming decade.