Turkish Airlines signs MOU with CFM for 600+ LEAP-1B engines

Turkish Airlines and CFM International signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purchase of more than 300 LEAP-1B engines, including spares, to power 100 firm and 50 optional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The agreement, announced Oct. 16, 2026, in Istanbul, covers the airline's entire LEAP-1B fleet, including previously ordered and delivered engines and those associated with leased aircraft, representing more than 600 engines operated by Turkish Airlines and its subsidiary AJet.

The MOU was signed by Prof. Murat Şeker, Chairman of Turkish Airlines, Mikail Akbulut, CEO of Turkish Technic, and Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, one of CFM's two parent companies. CFM International is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines.

The agreement includes a long-term services contract and a material services agreement to support the establishment of an engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Türkiye. Turkish Airlines currently operates 96 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft with CFM56-7B engines and 79 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft powered by LEAP-1B engines, including the AJet fleet.

Turkish Technic is listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange under the ticker THYAO. The new MRO facility is intended to expand Turkish Technic's engine maintenance capabilities for the LEAP engine platform.

CFM states it has delivered more than 10,000 LEAP engines since they entered service 10 years ago, accumulating over 100 million flight hours. The company has been upgrading the LEAP fleet with a high-pressure turbine durability kit and a reverse bleed system.

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