Turkish Airlines and CFM International have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering long-term services for more than 600 LEAP-1B engines operated by Turkish Airlines and its subsidiary AJet. The agreement covers the airline’s entire LEAP-1B engine fleet, including previously ordered and delivered engines, spares, engines associated with leased aircraft and potential options.
The MoU was signed during a ceremony in Istanbul by Prof. Murat Şeker, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines; Mikail Akbulut, CEO and Board Member of Turkish Technic; and Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, one of CFM’s two parent companies.
The agreement also includes a material services agreement to support the establishment of an engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Türkiye.
Turkish Airlines Strengthens Long-Term Partnership with CFM
Commenting on the agreement, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Murat Şeker, stated:
“This new step with CFM will support our growing fleet, network, and operational efficiency. We are also pleased to strengthen our partnership with CFM through a comprehensive set of services, providing the expertise, reliability, and long-term support needed to develop our LEAP MRO capabilities alongside a long-standing partner.”
Turkish Technic CEO and Board Member Mikail Akbulut said:
“With this agreement, we will be able to provide comprehensive maintenance operations for the LEAP engine. As Turkish Technic, we will continue to invest in engine maintenance services as well as our aircraft and component maintenance capabilities in line with our strategy.”
CFM and Safran Support Fleet Growth and MRO Development
Safran CEO Olivier Andriès said:
“This MoU marks a new milestone in our successful relationship with Turkish Airlines, a trusted partner for nearly four decades. It reflects our shared ambition to support the airline’s continued growth and fleet expansion. The MoU demonstrates our commitment to an open MRO ecosystem, which provides airlines with flexibility and competitive services to improve operational performance and manage costs effectively.”
GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr. said:
“We are proud to partner with Turkish Airlines as it continues flying to the most countries in the world. Putting its trust in CFM to provide highly reliable and efficient engines to support the growth of its Istanbul network and engine MRO capabilities is a responsibility we take seriously. We look forward to building on our proven partnership with this next chapter.”
Turkish Airlines’ Boeing 737 Fleet and LEAP Engine Developments
As Türkiye’s flag carrier, Turkish Airlines currently operates 96* Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft powered by CFM56-7B engines, alongside 79* Boeing 737 MAX aircraft powered by LEAP-1B engines.
In the 10 years since the LEAP engine entered service, CFM has delivered more than 10,000 engines, which have accumulated over 100 million flight hours. CFM continues to upgrade the LEAP fleet with a high-pressure turbine (HPT) durability kit to extend time on wing and a reverse bleed system (RBS).
New Engine Maintenance Facility in Türkiye
The strategic agreement reinforces Turkish Airlines’ long-standing partnership with CFM International and represents a new chapter in the integration of newly ordered Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into its growing fleet.
The agreement will also strengthen Turkish Technic’s engine maintenance capabilities through the establishment of a new state-of-the-art facility, enabling the company to deliver comprehensive maintenance services.
