Turkish Airlines is in negotiations with Boeing to order 150 737 Max narrow-body and 75 Boeing 787 wide-body aircraft, but the final decision depends on engine price negotiations, according to its chairman Ahmet Bolat.
In April, Turkey’s national carrier announced that it was negotiating with both Airbus and Boeing for the purchase of 235 aircraft as part of its expansion plans, after placing an order for 355 aircraft with the European airline in December.
Mr Bolat said talks with Boeing were progressing even as Airbus remained in the race, but the final decision would depend on better pricing for CFM’s LEAP engines, the sole supplier for the 737 Max aircraft.
“We could have announced the Boeing order earlier, but there is an issue with the engines. The decision depends on CFM prices, so it will take a little more time,” Bolat said, speaking on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Dubai.
According to him, the airline has submitted a counter proposal to CFM, a joint venture between GE and France’s Safran, and is awaiting a response.
The talks with Boeing come at a time when the manufacturer has been embroiled in a widespread safety crisis, exacerbated by the January explosion of a panel on a nearly new 737 Max airplane in flight.
Boeing is facing investigations by US regulators, possible prosecution for past actions and a reduction in production of its best-selling 737 Max aircraft.
Mr Bolat, however, said he was confident Boeing would resolve its problems and that the aerospace company was taking “strong steps and measures”.
He said Turkish Airlines placed the 355-plane order with Airbus because it wanted to ensure seats filled quickly, and while it is still in talks with the European plane maker for the new order, it wants to work with both manufacturers.
“We want to mitigate the risks and reduce the risk by using both products available on the market,” he said.
