Turkish Technic, a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines and a leading global player in aircraft maintenance, has signed a landmark agreement with Rolls-Royce to establish one of the world's largest aero engine maintenance facilities at İstanbul Airport. The partnership marks a significant milestone for both companies and for Türkiye's growing prominence in the global aviation and aerospace industry.
The new facility will provide comprehensive maintenance services for Rolls-Royce's Trent XWB-97, Trent XWB-84, and Trent 7000 engines, which power the Airbus A350 and Airbus A330neo aircraft. In addition to servicing Turkish Airlines' fleet, Turkish Technic will also offer maintenance solutions to Rolls-Royce's international airline customers.
Expected to increase Turkish Technic's annual revenues by approximately 30 percent, the facility will position the company as a global leader in engine maintenance services. It is also projected to contribute an average of USD 700 million annually in export revenue to the Turkish economy over the term of the agreement.
The signing ceremony, held at Turkish Technic's hangar at İstanbul Airport, was attended by Investment and Finance Office President A. Burak Dağlıoğlu, along with senior executives and business leaders from both companies.
Speaking at the event, Turkish Technic Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee Dr. Ahmet Bolat emphasized the significance of the agreement. “This partnership with Rolls-Royce—one of the world's largest aero engine manufacturers—will result in the establishment of what is set to become the largest engine maintenance facility globally," he said. “We have been working for over a year and a half to bring this project to life, and we are thrilled to take this step forward."
Bolat also highlighted the remarkable transformation of Türkiye's aviation industry over the past two decades, driven by the vision set forth by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2003. “In 2003, Turkish Airlines operated a fleet of just 65 aircraft and was a boutique carrier with limited global presence. Today, with nearly 480 aircraft and 85.2 million passengers carried in 2024, we rank third globally in available seat kilometers (ASK) and first among European network carriers," he noted.
Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace President, Rob Watson expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership. “This agreement is a key milestone as we expand our global MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) capabilities toward 2030," he said. “We are delighted to welcome Turkish Technic into our global network of capable, flexible, and resilient MRO partners. This facility will not only serve Turkish Airlines' Airbus A350 fleet but also enhance our longstanding collaboration."
The collaboration reflects Türkiye's strategic role as a hub for aviation, investment, and advanced manufacturing, further strengthening its position as the nexus of the innovation and value chain.