Turkish Airlines Reaches Preliminary Deal for 300-Plus CFM LEAP-1B Engines

Turkish Airlines and CFM International signed a memorandum of understanding in Istanbul on October 16, 2026, for the purchase of more than 300 LEAP-1B engines, including spares, to power 100 firm and 50 option Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, according to the October 16 release published by Safran, one of CFM’s two parent companies. The agreement pairs the engine purchase with a long-term services agreement covering the airline group’s entire LEAP-1B fleet, a combined total of more than 600 engines operated by Turkish Airlines and its subsidiary AJet.

The services agreement will cover previously ordered and delivered engines, spares, and engines associated with leased aircraft and potential options. The newly purchased engines are intended for up to 150 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

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.

Services Agreement and Planned MRO Facility

The package also includes a material services agreement with Turkish Technic to support the establishment of an engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in Türkiye. The release states the agreement will bolster 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. The release summarizes the package as long-term services for an entire fleet of more than 600 LEAP-1B engines alongside support for the airline’s future engine MRO shop.

Turkish Airlines, Türkiye’s national flag carrier, currently operates 96 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft with CFM56-7B engines and 79 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft powered by LEAP-1B engines, with both figures including the AJet fleet, according to the release. The release describes the MoU as underlining the flag carrier’s long-standing partnership with CFM International and as a new chapter in the process of inducting the newly ordered Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into the airline’s growing fleet.

The engine commitment follows the Boeing 737 MAX order for 100 firm and 50 option aircraft that Turkish Airlines announced September 23, 2026, previously covered on this desk as “Turkish Airlines Orders 100 Boeing 737-8 Jets With 50 Options.”

Commenting on the agreement, Şeker stated: “This new step with CFM will support our growing fleet, network, and the operational efficiency.” He added that the comprehensive set of services will provide the expertise, reliability, and long-term support needed to develop the airline’s LEAP MRO capabilities alongside a long-standing partner.

Akbulut said the agreement will enable Turkish Technic to provide comprehensive maintenance operations for the LEAP engine, and that the company will continue to invest in engine maintenance services as well as its aircraft and component maintenance capabilities in line with its strategy.

Andriès described the MoU as a new milestone in what he called a successful relationship with Turkish Airlines, a trusted partner for nearly four decades, and said it reflects a 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,” he said.

H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace (GE ), said Turkish Airlines continues flying to the most countries in the world. He said the airline’s 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 the company takes seriously, and that it looks forward to building on the partnership with this next chapter.

LEAP Program Status

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, according to the release. CFM states that it continues to upgrade the LEAP fleet with a high-pressure turbine durability kit to extend time on wing and a reverse bleed system. The company says it is focused on delivering high engine availability through MRO performance and competitive cost of ownership, with the benefits of aftermarket competition through its open MRO ecosystem.