Newsletters
Boeing is close to securing a delayed Turkish Airlines order for 150 737 MAX aircraft, potentially resolving a dispute over engine maintenance that had put the high-profile deal at risk, Reuters reported, citing four people familiar with the matter.
The agreement, part of a broader package involving 225 Boeing aircraft, could be signed as early as next week, three of the sources told Reuters.
The order had been held up by disagreements involving CFM International, the engine manufacturer jointly owned by GE Aerospace and France’s Safran, over Turkish Airlines’ demands related to long-term engine maintenance.
Boeing, CFM and Turkish Airlines did not comment to Reuters on the reported progress.
Turkish Airlines announced plans last year to acquire 225 Boeing aircraft, including 75 wide-body 787 Dreamliners and 150 narrow-body 737 MAX jets.
The MAX portion, covering 100 firm orders and 50 options for the 737-8 and 737-10, was conditional on the successful conclusion of negotiations with CFM International.
Turkish Airlines Chair Ahmet Bolat later warned that the carrier could shift the planned MAX purchase to Airbus if CFM did not offer acceptable commercial terms.
“If CFM comes to feasible economic terms, then we are going to sign with Boeing,” Bolat told Reuters at the time. “If CFM continues its stance, we’ll change to Airbus.”
1 min read
Reuters reported that the dispute also involved Turkish Airlines’ push to establish its own maintenance facility for the engines powering the 737 MAX and gain direct access to advanced repair technology through CFM’s top-tier maintenance network.
It remains unclear whether an agreement has been reached on that issue.
The planned Boeing purchases were announced following a September 2025 meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.
Turkish Airlines has been pursuing a major fleet expansion program as it seeks to expand operations through its Istanbul hub and transition toward newer-generation aircraft.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
