Boeing Wins Close Call with Turkish Airlines Over 737 MAX Order

Boeing is close to securing a delayed Turkish Airlines order for 150 737 MAX aircraft, resolving a dispute over engine maintenance that had put the high-profile deal at risk.

The agreement, part of a broader package involving 225 Boeing aircraft, could be signed as early as next week. The order was conditional on successful negotiations with CFM International, the engine manufacturer jointly owned by GE Aerospace and France's Safran.

Turkish Airlines had threatened to switch to Airbus if CFM did not offer acceptable commercial terms. Chairman Ahmet Bolat warned that the carrier could shift the planned MAX purchase to Airbus if CFM continued its stance.

The dispute 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.