StandardAero, Inc. has inducted the first CFM International LEAP-1B engine for SunExpress, marking the start of a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) partnership with the Turkish leisure airline. The LEAP-1B engine powers SunExpress’ fleet of next-generation Boeing 737-8 aircraft.
The induction follows SunExpress’ selection of StandardAero as a LEAP-1B MRO provider, enabling the airline to access a comprehensive range of engine support services from StandardAero’s San Antonio, Texas facility. These services include Performance Restoration Shop Visits (PRSVs), Quick-Turn Shop Visits (QTSVs), component repairs, and short-term engine leasing.
Cemil Sayar, Operations Director at SunExpress, said the airline values trusted partners that support its commitment to safe, reliable and efficient operations. He added that the company looks forward to building a long-term partnership with StandardAero for LEAP-1B engine services.
Guillaume Limouzy, Sales Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at StandardAero, welcomed SunExpress as the company’s latest CFM LEAP MRO customer. He said StandardAero is committed to becoming a trusted maintenance partner and delivering reliable LEAP-1B support for the airline’s growing fleet.
StandardAero provides maintenance support for both the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engine families from its 810,000-square-foot San Antonio facility as a CFM LEAP Premier MRO provider. The company signed the first non-airline CFM Branded Service Agreement (CBSA) in the Americas for the LEAP engine family in 2023.
Since launching LEAP quick-turn shop visit services in 2024 and completing its first LEAP test cell correlation later that year, StandardAero has expanded its capabilities significantly. As of July 2026, the company has completed multiple LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B performance restoration shop visits while continuing to increase maintenance capacity.
Beyond engine overhauls, StandardAero is strengthening its Component Repair Services (CRS) network by developing advanced repair capabilities for LEAP engine components. The company has industrialized more than 475 component repairs for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B platforms and continues to expand its workforce through its in-house Aviation Mechanic Training Program at the San Antonio Training Academy.
Founded as a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, SunExpress has over 35 years of experience serving leisure travelers between Turkey and Europe. The airline operates approximately 250 routes across 37 countries, carries nearly 16 million passengers annually, and employs more than 4,500 people.
The LEAP engine family is produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. Since its establishment in 1974, CFM has become one of the world’s leading commercial aircraft engine manufacturers, with the LEAP family recognized for its fuel efficiency, reliability, durability, and lower operating costs.
StandardAero is a leading independent pure-play provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, serving the commercial, military and business aviation end markets. StandardAero provides a comprehensive suite of critical, value-added aftermarket solutions, including engine maintenance, repair and overhaul, engine component repair, on-wing and field service support, asset management and engineering solutions. StandardAero is an NYSE listed company under the ticker symbol SARO.
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