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AFI KLM E&M and SunExpress Sign Six-Year Engine Maintenance Deal

AFI KLM E&M and SunExpress Renew Six-Year Engine Maintenance Agreement
Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) and SunExpress have formalized a six-year extension to their partnership for the maintenance of CFM56-7B engines. Announced at the Aviation Week MRO Europe 2025 event in London, the contract will span from 2025 through 2031, providing comprehensive shop visit support for the engines powering SunExpress’ Boeing 737 Next Generation fleet.
Expanding Partnership Amid Ambitious Growth
SunExpress, a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa headquartered in Antalya, operates flights on 237 routes across 35 countries, transporting nearly 15 million passengers annually. The airline is pursuing significant expansion plans, aiming to grow its fleet to 166 aircraft by 2035. Cemil Sayar, Chief Operations Officer of SunExpress, highlighted the importance of dependable partnerships during this period of growth. He noted that AFI KLM E&M’s technical expertise and adaptability have been instrumental in meeting the airline’s evolving operational requirements, making the extension of their collaboration a strategic priority.
From AFI KLM E&M’s perspective, Martijn de Vries, Vice President at KLM Engine Services, expressed pride in renewing the partnership. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering efficient and high-performance engine maintenance solutions that uphold SunExpress’ operational standards. De Vries also indicated the potential for expanding the relationship to include support for LEAP-1B engines, reflecting the mutual trust and confidence between the two organizations.
Industry Challenges and Strategic Responses
The renewed agreement arrives amid mounting challenges within the global airline industry’s engine maintenance sector. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects that supply-chain delays will cost airlines more than $11 billion in 2025. These disruptions contribute to $4.2 billion in excess fuel expenses from operating older aircraft, $3.1 billion in additional maintenance costs due to aging fleets, and $2.6 billion in leasing fees for extra engines required to cover prolonged maintenance periods.
In response to these pressures, airlines and maintenance providers are adopting new strategies to mitigate costs and enhance operational resilience. Competitors are increasingly leveraging partnerships; for instance, Turkish Airlines is exploring joint ventures with Air Algerie. Meanwhile, the financial stability of engine maintenance providers is under closer scrutiny as companies like EAP broaden their service portfolios to include engines from Rolls-Royce, GE Aerospace, Honeywell, and Pratt & Whitney Canada.
Market dynamics are further complicated by heightened demand for CF34-10 engines, driven by extended service life, the cessation of new production, and growing aftermarket requirements. These factors suggest potential capacity constraints in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) support.
Within this complex and evolving environment, the extended collaboration between AFI KLM E&M and SunExpress highlights the critical role of reliable and flexible engine maintenance solutions in supporting airline growth and operational continuity.

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