Pegasus Airlines signs LEAP engine deal with CFM International for future Boeing 737 MAX fleet
Pegasus Airlines ha siglato un accordo con CFM International Pegasus Airlines has signed an agreement with CFM International for up to 300 LEAP-1B engines to power its future fleet of Boeing 737-10 aircraft. The deal also covers spare engines and long-term maintenance services, further strengthening the long-standing partnership between the Turkish carrier and the Franco-American engine manufacturer.
The agreement supports Pegasus Airlines’ fleet expansion and renewal strategy, as the airline prepares to introduce the largest variant of the 737 MAX family into service later this decade.
A long-standing partnership
The relationship between Pegasus Airlines and CFM International dates back several decades. Pegasus became the world’s first LEAP engine operator on August 2, 2016, when an Airbus A320neo powered by LEAP-1A engines entered service on a flight between Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen and Antalya.
Over the years, the airline has also operated earlier generations of CFM engines, including the CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B, which have powered both its Airbus and Boeing narrowbody fleets.
Commenting on the latest agreement, Pegasus Airlines CEO Güliz Öztürk underlined the importance of this long-term cooperation.
“Since we launched operations in 1990, CFM engines have played a major role in helping Pegasus build a reliable, efficient fleet that serves our customers. We have been extremely pleased with the operation of the LEAP engine family and look forward to bringing the same performance and stability to our Boeing 737-10 fleet,” she said.
Öztürk added that the lower emissions and improved fuel efficiency of the LEAP-1B will play a key role in achieving Pegasus Airlines’ sustainability targets, contributing both to its 2030 CO₂ reduction goals and the aviation industry’s 2050 net-zero emissions objective.
Supporting a major fleet shift
The LEAP engine deal follows a landmark aircraft order placed by Pegasus Airlines in December 2024, when the carrier announced the largest single purchase in its history: 100 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, with options for an additional 100.
The order surprised much of the industry, as Pegasus had been steadily transitioning toward an all-Airbus fleet. As recently as 2023, the airline had increased its outstanding Airbus A321neo order by 36 aircraft, bringing the total to 150 units.
The decision to reintroduce Boeing aircraft marks a significant strategic shift and positions the 737-10 as a core component of Pegasus’ future growth.
Entry into service from 2028
The first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft powered by LEAP-1B engines are expected to enter service with Pegasus Airlines in 2028. Once operational, the new aircraft will support network expansion while offering improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and lower operating costs compared to previous-generation narrowbodies.
With the LEAP-1B agreement in place, Pegasus Airlines is reinforcing both its fleet strategy and its long-term relationship with CFM International, as it prepares for the next phase of growth in an increasingly competitive European and regional market.
