Turkish Airlines Signs MOU with CFM for 300 LEAP-1B Engines

· Aviation · Turkey

Turkish Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CFM International covering more than 300 LEAP-1B engines to power its Boeing 737 MAX fleet, plus engine support for over 600 units. The deal, announced on October 16, 2026, deepens the carrier's relationship with the CFM joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran. The MOU is not yet a firm order, but it signals the scale of Turkish Airlines' planned narrowbody expansion and provides long-term aftermarket coverage for its growing MAX fleet. Engine selection is a critical cost and maintenance decision for airlines operating large narrowbody fleets, and the scale of the commitment underscores Turkey's hub ambitions.

Why it matters：Engine orders of this size lock in aftermarket revenue for decades and shape the competitive balance between CFM and Pratt & Whitney in the narrowbody market.

Key points

  • MOU covers more than 300 LEAP-1B engines for Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
  • Includes support for over 600 engines, suggesting a long-term service agreement.
  • CFM International is a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran.

Sources (original reporting)

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