Boeing Nears Turkish Airlines Deal for 150 737 MAX Jets

Boeing is nearing a final agreement to preserve Turkish Airlines’ order for 150 737 MAX aircraft after a dispute over engine maintenance and pricing threatened to derail the deal. The agreement could be signed as soon as next week, although Boeing, CFM International and Turkish Airlines have not confirmed it. Turkish Airlines sought a greater role in maintaining the MAX’s CFM LEAP-1B engines, including a possible premier maintenance facility that would provide earlier access to repair technologies and expand its in-house capabilities. The negotiations also addressed rising repair costs, spare-parts prices and limited maintenance capacity, highlighting the growing importance of long-term engine-support economics in aircraft purchases.