Turkish Airlines may shift major jet order from Boeing amid engine supplier talks

Turkish Airlines announced its intention in late September 2025 to purchase up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, adding to its existing fleet of 116 Boeing 737 family jets across four variants. The airline has not specified which Airbus models it would consider as alternatives but is likely looking at the A320neo or A321neo families due to its current orders.

According to ch-aviation data, Turkish Airlines is awaiting delivery of 210 A321neos and two A320neos. If the carrier were to switch all intended purchases from Boeing to Airbus, its total A320neo family order book would reach 362 aircraft.

The ongoing engine supply dispute highlights broader challenges in the aviation industry. Airlines globally are struggling with increased passenger demand since the COVID-19 pandemic while facing shortages of available aircraft and engines. These shortages have driven up prices for parts and created tension between airlines and suppliers.

Airbus faces its own issues with engine availability. Its Pratt & Whitney GTF engines (PW1100) have experienced manufacturing defects related to contaminated powdered metal, causing premature cracks and failures in key components. This has led to widespread inspections and operational disruptions for airlines using these engines, with maintenance challenges expected through at least 2026.

Passenger demand continues to rise rapidly following the pandemic. Commercial air travel measured by revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) grew by over ten percent between 2023 and 2024 and is projected by McKinsey & Company to increase annually by more than four percent through 2030.

This high demand benefits both new engine sales and aftermarket services such as maintenance and spare parts sales. As airlines keep planes in service longer due to supply constraints, engine suppliers have seen strong margins—18% EBITDA in recent years compared with pre-pandemic levels—according to McKinsey analysis .

Simple Flying has reached out for comment from Turkish Airlines, GE Aerospace, and Safran regarding the status of negotiations.