{"id":157808,"date":"2026-09-16T17:33:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T12:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=157808"},"modified":"2026-09-16T15:33:29","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T10:03:29","slug":"turkish-airlines-150-boeing-737-max-order-nears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/16\/turkish-airlines-150-boeing-737-max-order-nears\/","title":{"rendered":"Turkish Airlines\u2019 150 Boeing 737 MAX Order Nears Rescue After CFM Fight"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ISTANBUL-<\/strong> Boeing is close to resolving a dispute that has delayed Turkish Airlines (TK)\u2019<\/a> planned purchase of 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The disagreement centers on CFM International\u2019s LEAP-1B engine maintenance, pricing, and long-term repair costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reuters reports that Boeing, CFM International, and Turkish Airlines could reach a final agreement as soon as next week, although none of the companies has publicly confirmed the development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo : Anna Zvereva | Wikimedia Commons | https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Turkish_Airlines,_TC-LCJ,_Boeing_737-8_MAX_(47585341702).jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Boeing Nears Deal to Save Turkish Airlines\u2019 150-737 MAX Order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Boeing is reportedly nearing an agreement with Turkish Airlines that could clear the way for a major 737 MAX order after negotiations over engine maintenance threatened to derail the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four people familiar with the matter told Reuters<\/em> that the US aircraft manufacturer is close to finalizing an agreement covering 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft<\/a>. The potential agreement would address concerns surrounding CFM International\u2019s LEAP-1B engines, including maintenance arrangements, pricing, and future repair costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 737 MAX order forms part of a much larger fleet expansion plan announced by Turkish Airlines in September 2025. The carrier agreed to acquire up to 75 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and committed to purchasing up to 150 additional 737 MAX aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the 787 portion of the agreement has progressed, the MAX commitment became uncertain because of disagreements involving CFM International, the engine manufacturer for the 737 MAX.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Aero Icarus | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Engine Support Dispute Delayed the MAX Commitment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The central issue was not the Boeing 737 MAX airframe itself. Instead, negotiations focused on the long-term economics of operating its CFM LEAP-1B engines<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The LEAP-1B is manufactured by CFM International, a 50-50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran. Engine maintenance represents a major long-term cost for airlines, particularly as fleets expand and aircraft remain in service for many years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkish Airlines reportedly wanted a greater role in maintaining its growing fleet of LEAP-powered aircraft. According to sources cited by Reuters, the airline sought to establish a CFM premier maintenance facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such a facility would give Turkish Airlines a higher level of involvement in engine maintenance and could provide access to newer repair technologies. It would also expand the carrier’s ability to manage engine support requirements as additional 737 MAX aircraft enter its fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The negotiations also covered responsibility for rising engine repair expenses. Higher spare-parts prices and limited maintenance capacity have become important considerations for airlines negotiating new aircraft purchases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The precise status of the proposed premier facility remained unclear, and the parties had not publicly confirmed whether all aspects of the arrangement had been resolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo : Adam Moreira | Wikimedia Commons | https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Turkish_Airlines_Boeing_787-9_Dreamliner_TC-LLC_approaching_JFK_Airport.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Turkish Airlines Plans Major Fleet Expansion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The potential 150-aircraft MAX commitment is closely connected to Turkish Airlines’ broader fleet growth strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkish Airlines already operates more than 400 Boeing<\/a> and Airbus aircraft and has outlined plans for substantial expansion. When Boeing announced the 2025 agreement, it said the combined 787 and 737 MAX commitments would double the airline’s Boeing fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The carrier has previously targeted a fleet of around 800 aircraft by 2033. Adding up to 150 additional 737 MAX aircraft would provide a significant increase in narrowbody capacity for short- and medium-haul operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 737 MAX would also build on an aircraft family already operated by Turkish Airlines. The airline introduced the Boeing 737 MAX 9 into commercial service in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That existing experience means the carrier already has operational familiarity with the aircraft family and its LEAP-1B engines. A large follow-on order would therefore expand an established fleet rather than require the introduction of an entirely new narrowbody type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Airline Evaluating Other Aircraft Types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Turkish Airlines is also assessing several other aircraft families as it develops its future fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A senior Turkish Airlines finance executive recently said the airline was evaluating regional aircraft including the Embraer E2 and Airbus A220. The carrier is also considering larger aircraft such as Boeing’s 777X<\/a> and Airbus A350-1000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The evaluation reflects the airline’s broad fleet requirements as it continues expanding its network. Smaller aircraft can support regional and lower-demand routes, while larger widebody aircraft can provide additional capacity on long-haul services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 737 MAX remains particularly relevant because of Turkish Airlines’ existing fleet and its role in high-frequency narrowbody operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By KM B – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=80964383<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What the Deal Means for Boeing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A finalized agreement would protect one of Boeing’s major narrowbody opportunities with a rapidly expanding international airline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The original 2025 agreement covered up to 225 aircraft, consisting of up to 75 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and up to 150 737 MAX aircraft. The agreement followed a meeting involving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan and then-US President Donald Trump<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MAX portion becoming firm would therefore preserve a significant commercial relationship between Boeing and one of its major international customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Boeing, the Turkish Airlines commitment is also important because large carriers are making long-term fleet decisions based on aircraft availability, delivery schedules, operating economics, and support costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The negotiations demonstrate that an aircraft purchase can involve much more than the price of the airframe. Engine maintenance, spare-parts availability, repair capability, and long-term support arrangements can all influence the economics of a fleet decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By MarcelX42 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=120850454<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

LEAP-1B Support Remains a Key Factor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Turkish Airlines negotiations highlight the growing importance of engine support in narrowbody fleet planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The LEAP-1B powers the Boeing 737 MAX and is designed to provide improved fuel efficiency compared with earlier-generation engines. However, airlines must also account for maintenance requirements and the cost of keeping engines operational throughout their service lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a carrier planning hundreds of additional aircraft, even relatively small changes in maintenance costs can have a substantial impact over an extended fleet lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkish Airlines’ push for a premier maintenance capability indicates the importance it places on controlling and managing these long-term requirements. The arrangement could also increase the airline’s in-house or locally based engine-support capabilities, depending on the final terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – Turkish Airlines, TC-LLC, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=87337896<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Boeing 737 MAX Order Awaits Final Resolution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The immediate focus remains on whether Turkish Airlines and CFM International can finalize their maintenance agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reuters reported that Boeing was nearing a final agreement for the 150 aircraft, potentially allowing the long-delayed MAX commitment to move forward. However, Boeing, CFM International, and Turkish Airlines had not publicly confirmed the reported agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the remaining negotiations are resolved, Boeing could convert the existing commitment into a firm 737 MAX order. Turkish Airlines would also gain greater clarity over the long-term engine-support arrangements associated with its planned narrowbody expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development underscores how aircraft manufacturers, airlines, and engine suppliers must align not only on aircraft deliveries but also on the maintenance economics that determine the cost of operating those aircraft for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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