SOCAR Türkiye and Turkish Airlines Take a Strategic Step Toward Sustainable Aviation

On August 13, 2025, SOCAR Türkiye and Turkish Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) during a ceremony held at Turkish Airlines Headquarters. The event was attended by senior executives from both organizations, and the agreement was hailed as a strategic move in the context of sustainability-driven transformation across the energy and aviation sectors.

In his speech at the signing ceremony, SOCAR Türkiye CEO Elchin Ibadov emphasized that sustainability remains one of SOCAR Türkiye’s core priorities: “At SOCAR Türkiye, we have established a strong foundation for SAF production, thanks to our group company STAR Refinery’s high production capacity, advanced refining technologies, digitalized operations, and ongoing R&D efforts. Our technical expertise in the energy sector and integrated business model empower us to produce not only the fuels of today, but also those of the future.

With a deep sense of responsibility toward future generations, we consider sustainability to be an integral part of our business approach and act with a transformative mindset that accounts for both environmental and social impact. This strategic step taken together with Turkish Airlines contributes not only to our industries, but also to a broader vision of a more sustainable world. We are pleased to carry out this process in partnership with a global brand like Turkish Airlines, which plays a strategic role in Türkiye’s aviation sector.

I wholeheartedly believe that this collaboration, which deepens our existing cooperation in jet fuel through a sustainability-focused lens, is only the beginning of a much larger journey — one where we can create far greater impact together. I extend my sincere thanks to the Turkish Airlines management and everyone involved in bringing this shared vision to life, and I hope this partnership will be beneficial for our institutions, our country, and our region.”

Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi also highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership for sectoral transformation: “At Turkish Airlines, we are taking steps aligned with international targets to reduce emissions in our operations. Sustainable Aviation Fuel is one of the most tangible and feasible tools on this path. The memorandum we’ve signed with SOCAR Türkiye takes our strong existing collaboration in fuel supply to a new level — one with significant environmental potential.

This initiative not only creates an alternative in fuel sourcing, but also lays the groundwork for integrating SAF into our operations and enhancing production capacity in this area. As Turkish Airlines, we aim to contribute to the global aviation industry’s sustainability targets while unlocking Türkiye’s potential in this space. The future of global aviation will be shaped not through isolated efforts, but through strong and determined partnerships. We believe that this initiative with SOCAR Türkiye will deliver long-term value for both our institutions and for Türkiye’s aviation industry. We wish our partnership continued success for all stakeholders involved.”

With this Memorandum of Understanding, the existing collaboration in jet fuel supply between SOCAR Türkiye and Turkish Airlines has now extended into the field of SAF. The agreement also sets the stage for broader regional sustainability initiatives in the future.

SOCAR Türkiye will continue to lead sectoral transformation by developing sustainability-driven partnerships both in Türkiye and Azerbaijan.