Turkish Airlines and CFM sign landmark MOU for more than 600 LEAP-1B engines

Turkish Airlines has taken another major step in its fleet expansion strategy with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with CFM International for more than 300 LEAP-1B engines and a long-term services agreement covering its entire LEAP-powered fleet. Together, the commitments will support more than 600 engines across Turkish Airlines and AJet, while also laying the groundwork for expanded engine maintenance capabilities in Türkiye.

The MoU was signed in Istanbul by Prof. Murat Şeker, Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, Mikail Akbulut, CEO and Board Member of Turkish Technic, and Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, one of CFM International’s parent companies. The agreement also includes a material services package that will support the development of a new engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Türkiye.

Turkish Airlines currently operates a fleet of 96 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft powered by CFM56-7B engines, alongside 79 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft equipped with LEAP-1B engines, including aircraft operated by AJet.

Prof. Murat Şeker, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, commented: “This new step with CFM will support our growing fleet, network, and the 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 stated: “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.”

Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, 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 broader commitment to an open MRO ecosystem, which provides airlines with flexibility and competitive services to improve operational performance and manage costs effectively.”

Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace, added: “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.”

A decade after entering commercial service, CFM's LEAP engine family has surpassed 10,000 deliveries and accumulated more than 100 million flight hours worldwide, establishing itself as one of the aviation industry's most widely adopted new-generation powerplants. CFM continues to enhance the engine's performance and reliability through ongoing upgrades, including a high-pressure turbine (HPT) durability kit designed to extend time on wing and a reverse bleed system (RBS). Backed by its global open MRO ecosystem, the company remains focused on maximising engine availability while delivering competitive lifecycle costs for operators.

The latest agreement with Turkish Airlines further strengthens a partnership that spans decades while supporting the carrier's continued fleet expansion. Beyond providing power for newly ordered Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, the collaboration will significantly expand Turkish Technic's engine maintenance capabilities through the development of a new state-of-the-art engine MRO facility in Türkiye. The investment will enable Turkish Technic to provide comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul services for the growing LEAP-powered fleet while reinforcing the country's position as a regional aerospace services hub.