Rolls-Royce and Turkish Technic have officially broken ground on a new aero engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Istanbul Airport, marking a significant expansion of their long-standing partnership and strengthening global engine maintenance capacity.
First announced in May 2025 as the latest addition to the Rolls-Royce global MRO network, the new facility will support the increasing demand for maintenance services for modern widebody aircraft engines. The project reinforces Turkish Technic’s position as a leading global MRO provider while expanding Rolls-Royce’s worldwide maintenance infrastructure for next-generation civil engines.
Scheduled to become operational by the end of 2027, the facility will provide comprehensive maintenance services for Trent XWB-97, Trent XWB-84 and Trent 7000 engines, which power Airbus A350 and Airbus A330neo aircraft. Once operational, the center will support both Rolls-Royce TotalCare customers and the expanding fleet of Turkish Airlines.
The facility is designed with a planned capacity of up to 200 engine shop visits annually, making it one of the largest aero engine maintenance centers in the region. This expansion is expected to significantly strengthen maintenance support for widebody aircraft operating across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Rolls-Royce leadership highlighted that the project forms part of the company’s broader strategy to expand global MRO capacity by 2030 in response to rising demand for widebody aircraft engine services. The facility also reinforces the strategic partnership between Rolls-Royce and Turkish Airlines, whose Airbus A350 fleet will benefit directly from the new maintenance capability.
Turkish Technic leadership emphasized that the project represents a major investment in expanding technical expertise and service capacity. The new center is expected to become one of Europe’s largest maintenance hubs for Trent engine models while enhancing the company’s ability to provide comprehensive support to airlines worldwide.
The development also aligns with Türkiye’s ambition to strengthen its role as a global aviation hub. By building advanced maintenance infrastructure for next-generation engines, the project will contribute to the country’s growing aerospace industry and support the long-term development of aviation maintenance capabilities.
The investment follows a significant fleet expansion by Turkish Airlines, which placed a major order for Airbus A350 aircraft in 2023. The order made the airline the largest operator of the Trent XWB engine, including 120 Trent XWB-84 engines and 40 Trent XWB-97 engines, further increasing demand for engine maintenance services in the region.
