Turkish Airlines and CFM International signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the purchase of more than 300 LEAP-1B engines, including spares, to power 100 firm and 50 option Boeing 737 MAX aircraft announced in September 23.

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The long-term services agreement will cover airline’s entire LEAP-1B engine fleet, including previously ordered and delivered engines, spares, and engines associated with leased aircraft and potential options. Together, these represent more than 600 LEAP-1B engines operated by Turkish Airlines and its subsidiary AJet.

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. It also includes a material services agreement with Turkish Technic to support the establishment of an engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Türkiye.

As Türkiye’s national flag carrier, Turkish Airlines currently operates a fleet of 96 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft with CFM56-7B engines (including Ajet Fleet), as well as 79 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft powered by LEAP-1B (including AJet fleet).

In the 10 years since LEAP engines entered service, CFM has delivered more than 10,000 engines that 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). The company is focused on delivering high engine availability through exceptional MRO performance and competitive cost of ownership, with the benefits of aftermarket competition through its open MRO ecosystem.

This strategic agreement both underlines the flag carrier’s long-standing partnership with CFM International and represents a new chapter for the inclusion process of newly ordered Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to its ever-growing fleet. The agreement will also bolster Turkish Technic’s engine maintenance capabilities, through the establishment of a new state-of-the-art facility, enabling Turkish Technic to deliver comprehensive maintenance services.