StandardAero has inducted its first CFM International LEAP-1B engine for SunExpress, marking the beginning of a long-term maintenance partnership with the Turkish leisure carrier following its selection of StandardAero as a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider for its next-generation narrowbody fleet.
The LEAP-1B engine powers SunExpress’ fleet of Boeing 737-8 aircraft and will be serviced at StandardAero’s San Antonio, Texas, facility, where the company has been steadily expanding its capabilities for CFM’s latest-generation engine family.
Under the agreement, SunExpress will have access to StandardAero’s comprehensive portfolio of LEAP-1B support services, including Performance Restoration Shop Visits (PRSVs), Quick-Turn Shop Visits (QTSVs), component repair services and short-term engine leasing solutions. The partnership is expected to support the airline’s growing fleet while ensuring high levels of engine reliability and operational availability.
Commenting on the collaboration, Cemil Sayar, Operations Director at SunExpress, said the airline places significant importance on working with trusted maintenance partners.
“At SunExpress, we place great importance on working with trusted partners who support our commitment to safe, reliable and efficient operations. We are pleased to collaborate with StandardAero on LEAP-1B engine services and look forward to building a strong and long-term partnership together,” Sayar said.
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Guillaume Limouzy, Sales Director – Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) at StandardAero, said the company is pleased to welcome SunExpress to its growing portfolio of LEAP engine customers.
“StandardAero is delighted to add SunExpress, one of Europe’s best-known and highest-rated leisure airlines, to our list of CFM LEAP MRO customers. We look forward to establishing ourselves as a trusted partner to SunExpress and to providing the airline with LEAP-1B MRO services for many years to come,” Limouzy said.
StandardAero has rapidly expanded its LEAP engine maintenance capabilities since becoming the first non-airline MRO provider in the Americas to sign a CFM Branded Service Agreement (CBSA) for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engine families in March 2023.
The company began offering LEAP Quick-Turn Shop Visit (QTSV) services in March 2024, followed by the successful correlation of its first LEAP engine test cell in November 2024, paving the way for full Performance Restoration Shop Visit (PRSV) capability. As of July 2026, StandardAero has completed multiple LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B performance restoration workscopes while continuing to expand engine shop capacity to meet increasing global demand.
Beyond complete engine overhauls, StandardAero is also strengthening its Component Repair Services (CRS) network by industrialising repair solutions for LEAP engine components. To date, the company has developed more than 475 approved component repairs across the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B platforms, helping airlines reduce maintenance costs and improve engine turnaround times.
The company is simultaneously investing in workforce development through its in-house Aviation Mechanic Training Program at its San Antonio Training Academy, supporting the industry’s growing need for skilled technicians qualified to maintain next-generation engines.
Founded as a 50:50 joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, SunExpress operates flights across 250 routes in 37 countries, carrying nearly 16 million passengers annually. As the airline continues to modernise its Boeing 737 fleet, the partnership with StandardAero is expected to provide long-term engine maintenance support while improving fleet reliability and operational efficiency.
The induction reflects the accelerating demand for LEAP engine aftermarket services as airlines worldwide continue expanding fleets powered by CFM International’s LEAP family. With shop capacity remaining constrained across the industry, independent MRO providers such as StandardAero are investing heavily in engine overhaul capability, component repair development and workforce training to support the growing global LEAP fleet. The continued industrialisation of LEAP repairs and expansion of maintenance capacity will play a critical role in addressing engine shop bottlenecks while improving fleet availability for operators worldwide.
