Turkish Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CFM International to provide more than 300 LEAP-1B engines, alongside long-term service support for over 600 fleet engines.
On October 16, 2026, the two sides met in Istanbul, where Murat Şeker, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, and Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, one of CFM’s two parent companies, participated in a signing ceremony.
Under the preliminary agreement, the 300 LEAP-1B engines, including spares, will be used to power up to a possible 150 new 737 MAX aircraft, which Turkish Airlines ordered from Boeing in September 2026.
The exact Turkish Airlines order was for 100 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with options for a further 50 jets.
Additionally, in Istanbul, the aviation leaders, also including Mikail Akbulut, CEO and Board Member of Turkish Technic, agreed in principle to CFM International providing long-term services for Turkish Airlines’ entire LEAP-1B engine fleet.
This would include previously ordered and delivered engines, spares, and engines associated with leased aircraft and potential options. Engines used by Turkish Airlines subsidiary AJet would also be covered.
The MOU also included a material services agreement to support the establishment of an engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Turkey.
“This new step with CFM will support our growing fleet, network, and the operational efficiency,” Şeker said. “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.”
Between them, Turkish Airlines and AJet currently operate 96 Boeing 737 NG aircraft with CFM56-7B engines, as well as 79 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft powered by LEAP-1B.
Commenting on the agreement, Safran’s Andriès suggested that the milestone deal 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,” Andriès added.
Lawrence Culp, CEO of GE Aerospace, which jointly owns CFM International with Safran, remarked: “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.”