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Following Turkish Airlines’ long-awaited agreement with Boeing for up to 150 737 MAX aircraft on Sept. 23, the carrier and CFM International have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for more than 600 Leap-1B engines.
According to an Oct. 16 statement from Turkish Airlines, the MOU between Turkish Technic and CFM includes the purchase of more than 300 Leap-1B engines (including spares) to power 100 firm and 50 optioned Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, the largest-ever Boeing single-aisle aircraft order by the flag carrier.
The long-term services agreement will cover the 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 AJet, its low-cost carrier subsidiary.
Turkish Airlines currently operates 96 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft with CFM56-7B engines, as well as 79 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft powered by Leap-1B engines.
“As of today, we operate a total fleet of 569 aircraft,” a Turkish Airlines spokesperson stated.
“We are 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,” said Murat Şeker, Turkish Airlines chairman of the board and executive committee.
Mikail Akbulut, Turkish Technic CEO and board member stated: “As Turkish Technic, we will continue to invest in engine maintenance services as well as our aircraft and component maintenance capabilities in line with our strategy,”
Turkish Airlines could not provide details on whether Turkish Technic and CFM might form a similar joint venture, as it has with Pratt & Whitney through Turkish Engine Center (TEC). Located at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, TEC started operations in 2010. According to Turkish Technic’s website, TEC currently offers CFM International CFM56-7B and IAE V2500-A5 engine maintenance services to its worldwide customers.
In the 10 years since Leap entered service, CFM has delivered more than 10,000 engines that have accumulated over 100 million flight hours. CFM says it 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).
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