‍ISTANBUL — Turkish Airlines (TK), the world’s leading airline by number of countries served, and Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), the world’s first Islamic bank and the UAE’s largest, completed an aircraft financing transaction for Airbus A350-941 aircraft.

A signing ceremony recently took place in Istanbul, attended by Dr. Adnan Chilwan, DIB CEO, Prof. Ahmet Bolat, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, and Assoc. Prof. Murat Şeker, Turkish Airlines CFO and Member of the Board and the Executive Committee, along with other executives from both organizations.

“At a time when global markets are rethinking the foundations of sustainable finance, this transaction sends a clear signal that Islamic finance is no longer a niche; it is a resilient and globally relevant financial structure for the future, for Turkish Airlines to embrace Shariah-compliant financing for the first time and to choose DIB as their Islamic finance provider reflects both the strength of our principles and the confidence they have placed in our capabilities. We value this collaboration deeply. It not only supports the airline’s strategic growth but also reinforces the strengthening of economic ties between the UAE and Türkiye. This relationship continues to thrive on a vision rooted in mutual respect, shared ambition, and enduring cooperation,” said Dr. Adnan Chilwan, CEO of DIB.

“This transaction demonstrates our commitment to financial innovation and strengthening our fleet while also marking a new chapter in our cooperation with leading institutions in the UAE and the broader Gulf region. We are pleased to have completed this landmark financing in collaboration with DIB and look forward to building on this partnership in the future,” commented Prof. Ahmet Bolat, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee

Shariah-compliant Structures as a Part of Turkish Airlines' Growth 

After nearly a year of close cooperation between TK and DIB, the transaction is marking a strategic milestone in the diversification of the airline’s funding portfolio. The national flag carrier of Türkiye completed the financing in Swiss Francs (CHF). The transaction is structured through a 12-year Islamic finance lease - Ijarah.

For DIB, the transaction strengthens the bank’s global leading position in cross-border Islamic finance, showing the rising demand for Shariah-compliant solutions in capital-intensive sectors such as aviation.