Turkish Airlines Strengthens Fleet Expansion With Shrewd Dual-Supplier Strategy, Shifting Some Aircraft Orders From Boeing To Airbus To Overcome CFM Engine Supply Bottlenecks And Delays

Published on October 10, 2025

Turkish Airlines is further expanding its fleet by employing a smart dual-supplier strategy; partly based on their need for quick solutions to the CFM engine bottleneck, Turkish Airlines is shifting some orders for aircraft from Boeing to Airbus. Due to the global supply chain disruptions, Turkish Airlines has prioritized fleet expansion to help cope with the operational delays attributed to suboptimal delivery times from Boeing. By employing dual-supplier aircraft policies, Turkish Airlines will minimize exposure to operational delays and help support their expansionary policies. Such policies help maintain growth and meet rapidly changing demand, particularly for an airline operating in a developing global aviation ecosystem.

As the aviation industry continues to recover from global disruptions, Turkish Airlines (TK) is navigating complex challenges in aircraft and engine procurement. The airline, headquartered in Istanbul, has recently made headlines with its ambitious expansion plans, including a significant aircraft order with Boeing. However, unresolved issues with its engine supplier, CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran, have prompted Turkish Airlines to explore alternative options with Airbus.

Boeing Orders and the Need for Flexibility

Turkish Airlines’ recent aircraft order with Boeing involves 100 737 MAX jets and 50 787 Dreamliners, reinforcing the airline’s strategy to enhance both short-haul and long-haul routes. The 737 MAX jets will be crucial for expanding regional networks across Europe and the Middle East, while the 787 Dreamliners are poised to serve high-demand markets in the Americas and Asia. Additionally, the deal includes options for 75 additional aircraft, providing the airline with flexibility to scale operations in line with growing demand.

Despite the scale of the Boeing deal, CFM’s engine supply negotiations have not progressed smoothly, with the airline expressing concerns over pricing disagreements. This has led to speculation that Turkish Airlines may shift part of its order to Airbus if the situation with CFM is not resolved soon.

The Role of CFM International and Engine Supply Challenges

Turkish Airlines relies heavily on CFM International as the sole engine supplier for its Boeing 737 MAX fleet. These aircraft form the backbone of its short- to medium-haul expansion, particularly on routes within Europe and the Middle East. However, disruptions have already impacted the airline’s A320neo fleet, which is powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. Engine-related issues grounded approximately 15% of the airline’s narrowbody fleet in 2024, highlighting the critical nature of reliable engine suppliers.

Furthermore, the global aviation industry is grappling with engine shortages and escalating maintenance costs. IATA data indicates that engine maintenance costs have surged by 20% since 2022, adding pressure on airlines already struggling with post-pandemic recovery. These ongoing issues underscore the need for Turkish Airlines to have flexible and reliable engine options as it moves forward with its fleet expansion plans.

Airbus’ Competitive Advantage

Unlike Boeing, Airbus offers more flexibility in terms of engine suppliers. The A320neo family of aircraft, which forms part of Turkish Airlines’ 355 aircraft order with Airbus, can be powered by either CFM engines or those from Pratt & Whitney. This gives Turkish Airlines the opportunity to diversify its engine suppliers, mitigating the risks associated with relying on a single supplier.

In light of the unresolved CFM negotiations, Airbus’ ability to offer this dual-engine flexibility has positioned the company as a viable alternative. In addition, Airbus has already secured a significant portion of Turkish Airlines’ future fleet, including A320neo and A350 models. This partnership underscores the importance of diversifying suppliers to ensure operational stability and mitigate the risks posed by supply chain bottlenecks.

Strategic Implications for Turkish Airlines

The decision to pursue both Boeing and Airbus aircraft underscores Turkish Airlines’ strategic foresight. The 355 Airbus aircraft order, which is one of the largest in aviation history, reflects the airline’s ambition to bolster its fleet and maintain operational flexibility in the face of challenges. This dual-supplier strategy ensures that Turkish Airlines has multiple options for powering its fleet, reducing its exposure to any one supplier’s disruptions or pricing issues.

This strategy is particularly important as Turkish Airlines seeks to position itself as a global leader in the aviation industry. With Istanbul (IST) solidifying its role as a hub connecting over 131 countries as of December 2024, the airline’s fleet expansion is essential to meeting the growing demand for air travel, particularly in the European and Asian markets.

The Impact of Global Supply Chain Issues

The aviation industry has been significantly impacted by global supply chain disruptions, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Boeing and Airbus have faced significant backlogs in aircraft and engine deliveries, leading to widespread delays across the industry. These disruptions have further exacerbated maintenance issues for existing fleets, with airlines struggling to maintain their aircraft due to the scarcity of replacement parts and the rising costs associated with engine repairs.

For Turkish Airlines, these challenges have been compounded by Pratt & Whitney engine issues on its A320neo fleet, with a 10% disruption in its European schedules in 2024. Additionally, the airline has had to manage the implications of rising maintenance costs, which have surged by 20% in recent years, putting pressure on its overall budget and forcing the airline to seek more reliable engine suppliers.

Airbus as a Contingency Plan

In the event that CFM International does not adjust its pricing structure or improve its delivery timelines, Turkish Airlines is prepared to shift a portion of its Boeing order to Airbus. The airline’s A320neo fleet already serves as a key part of its short-haul network, and increasing the number of A320neo aircraft in its fleet could provide additional operational flexibility.

However, the Airbus supply chain is not without its own challenges. Airbus is facing limited production slots through 2030, and as such, Turkish Airlines may not be able to fully pivot to Airbus aircraft if the situation with CFM remains unresolved. This means that Turkish Airlines will need to carefully balance its fleet expansion goals with the realities of global aircraft production constraints.

Future Plans and the Role of the 777X

Despite the ongoing challenges with engine supplies, Turkish Airlines has expressed confidence in Boeing’s 777X widebody aircraft, which is currently slated for a 2027 debut. This aircraft is specifically designed for ultra long-haul routes, making it a key component of Turkish Airlines’ strategy to expand its premium services to markets in North America and Southeast Asia.

The 777X will be essential for Turkish Airlines as it seeks to capitalize on the growing demand for business-class travel, which is projected to increase by 15% annually in key markets. With global demand for long-haul travel continuing to rise, the 777X is expected to play a pivotal role in Turkish Airlines’ ability to meet this demand while maintaining its competitive edge in the premium travel segment.

Conclusion: Turkish Airlines’ Strategic Resilience

Turkish Airlines has made significant strides in building a resilient and flexible fleet strategy that positions it as a key player in the competitive aviation landscape. By leveraging a dual-supplier approach with both Boeing and Airbus, the airline ensures that it can continue to expand its operations while mitigating the risks associated with engine and aircraft supply disruptions.

To enhance fleet expansion and flexibility, Turkish Airlines has replaced some of its Boeing orders with Airbus ones, thereby addressing delays and bottlenecks within their CFM engines subsystem. Turkish Airlines continues their steady growth despite multifaceted global challenges, and prioritizes their fleet expansion flexibility, overtaking their market competitors.

Amid global shortages and delays, Turkish Airlines will benefit from prioritizing agility in fleet planning between Boeing and Airbus. With significant expansion plans and as a key hub in Istanbul, the airline has the ability, resource access, and positioning to handle complex global market challenges and will remain a leader in the airline market.