Turkish Technic Joins Trent Network, Plans New Engine MRO Facility

Turkish Technic is joining Rolls-Royce's aftermarket network and will eventually service several of its engine types from a newly built facility in Istanbul.

Delegates from both parties signed terms at a ceremony on May 7 where they revealed that the MRO provider will eventually have full capability to service Rolls-Royce-manufactured Trent XWB-97 and Trent XWB-84 engines, which power Airbus A350s, as well as the Trent 7000, which equips the A330neo.

To ramp up for the new engines, Turkish Technic plans to build a new facility close to its Istanbul base which is set to become operational in just over two years’ time. Becoming part of the Rolls-Royce TotalCare network, Turkish Technic will service both engines from third-party operators as well as the Turkish Airlines fleet. 

In total, the MRO company predicts the facility will eventually have capacity for up to 200 shop visits per year once operational at the end of 2027.

“We’re significantly increasing our global MRO capacity by 2030, and today’s announcement marks an important milestone on that journey, as we add Turkish Technic to our global network of capable, flexible and resilient MRO providers to support our TotalCare customers around the world,” said Rob Watson, president of Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce.

Watson said the latest agreement reinforces the company’s partnership with Turkish Airlines, which is the world’s largest operator of the Trent XWB engine. Last year, the flag carrier firmed up an order for 80 A350 aircraft, signed in late 2023, which included an order for 120 Trent XWB-84 engines and 40 Trent XWB-97 engines, excluding options and spares.

Turkish Technic Chairman Ahmet Bolat said that the arrangement strengthens the company’s MRO capabilities as well as its ties with the British engine manufacturer. 

“With our new facility expansion, we will be equipped to perform comprehensive maintenance services across a wide range of Trent engine models, allowing us to meet the evolving needs of the industry,” Bolat said.

Turkish Technic’s current engine operation is located at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport, where it services CFM56 and CF6-80E1 engine types. Nearby, it also operates its Turkish Engine Center joint venture with Pratt & Whitney, which focuses on International Aero Engines V2500-A5 and CFM56-7B repairs.

Just more than one year ago, Turkish Technic and Rolls-Royce announced their intention to explore opportunities around Trent XWB maintenance in Turkey as well as supply chain sourcing. The talks coincided with the launch of the Strategic Türkiye Enhanced Program (STEP) cooperation, implemented by Turkish Airlines, Rolls-Royce and Airbus. STEP will target the further development of Turkey’s aerospace industry and contribute economic value over the next 15 years.

Rolls-Royce meanwhile, has announced several expansions across its global network in recent years. These include a £55 million ($70 million) investment in additional engine assembly, test and shop visit capacity at sites in Derby, England, and at Dahlewitz, Germany, where it restarted commercial activity at the end of last year.

Other expanding Rolls-Royce JVs include Singapore Aero Engine Services with SIA Engineering Company, which plans to increase its volume by 40%, and Hong Kong Aero Engine Services with HAECO. A future JV with Air China—Beijing Aero Engine Services Company—is expected to open in the Chinese capital in 2026. N3 Engine Overhaul Services, a JV with German MRO giant Lufthansa Technik, will increase its engine output from 160 to 250 Rolls-Royce engines annually over the next few years.

Rolls-Royce is not the only OEM expanding its production capacity in Turkey. Embraer signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkish Aerospace April 1 to explore potential industrial cooperation. During Embraer's first quarter results call May 6, the company said it wants to introduce the E2 to Turkey's market as part of its plans to expand production capacity. The collaboration will also focus on developing parts for commercial aviation.