- Boeing close to finalising Turkish Airlines order for 150 737 MAX jets
- Deal comprises 100 firm orders and 50 options
- Order previously stalled over CFM International negotiations
- Could be signed during UN General Assembly in New York
- Turkish Airlines targets fleet of 800 aircraft by 2033
Boeing is close to finalising a major agreement with Turkish Airlines for up to 150 737 MAX jets, salvaging a narrowbody order that was previously at risk of being cancelled. The deal comprising 100 firm orders and 50 options for the 737-8 and 737-10 variants could be officially signed as early as next week. The order is part of a broader 225-aircraft package outlined last year which also included up to 75 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
The 737 MAX portion stalled due to a breakdown in negotiations between Turkish Airlines and CFM International, the exclusive engine manufacturer for the MAX family. The primary roadblocks involved disagreements over who would bear the risk for long-term repairs, spare-parts pricing and engine maintenance terms. Turkish Airlines also wanted to establish its own Premier tier maintenance plant to gain accelerated access to CFM’s latest repair technologies. Frustrated by the impasse Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat threatened to walk away from Boeing entirely and switch the single-aisle order to Airbus A320neo family jets.
If finalized next week the deal marks a win for Boeing as it looks to lock in a single-aisle order amidst ongoing regulatory and production challenges. Sources indicate the commercial agreement could be signed on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump are expected to meet. The aircraft will support the carrier’s long-term growth roadmap to expand its Istanbul hub and scale its fleet to 800 total aircraft by 2033.
