Turkey: Dreamliner named Macka after terror victim Eren

By Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s national flag carrier on Thursday named its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner as Macka –home district of 15-year-old Eren Bulbul, martyred by a PKK terrorist in 2017.

Turkish Airlines in a survey which began on Tuesday had asked people to choose name of the new aircraft. Over 246,000 people participated through social media micro blogger Twitter.

The Airlines thanked all participants and announced to dedicate first flight of the aircraft to Eren's hometown Macka, in the Trabzon province in the Black Sea region in Turkey, by visiting the martyred teenager’s family.

On Wednesday, the Turkish Airlines said in a statement that 30 Boeing 787 aircrafts would join their fleet within next four years.

"The Turkish national flag carrier had placed 25 firm + 5 optional orders last year for the 787-9 Dreamliner, which will be gradually added to its expanding fleet -- the youngest in the world -- between 2019 and 2023," it said.

The carrier said new aircraft, which has a seating capacity for 300 passengers, offers more comfort, range flexibility and fuel efficiency.

The 15-year-old Eren Bulbul was martyred on August 11, 2017, by Mehmet Yakisir, codenamed "Zeynel", the top PKK terrorist in the Black Sea region.

On July 15 last year, the terrorist -- who was in the red category of wanted list -- was neutralized by Turkish security forces.

The wanted list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange and grey.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.