Rolls-Royce, Turkish Technic to Open MRO at IST
Rolls-Royce and Turkish Technic have unveiled plans to open a state-of-the-art maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at Istanbul Airport. Announced on May 7, 2025, and formalized in a special ceremony attended by Turkish Technic Chairman Ahmet Bolat and Rolls-Royce President of Civil Aerospace Rob Watson, the expanded center will support the assembly and servicing of advanced Trent engine models. The new MRO facility is scheduled to be operational by late 2027, enhancing the airport’s technical capabilities.
The facility will specialize in comprehensive overhauls of the Trent XWB-97, Trent XWB-84 and Trent 7000 engines used to power Airbus A350 and A330neo aircraft. These high-thrust turbofans require precision engineering and advanced testing capabilities to meet stringent performance standards. By consolidating MRO operations under one roof, Rolls-Royce and Turkish Technic aim to reduce turnaround times, improve engine reliability and offer airlines efficient service for their widebody fleets.
The Istanbul Airport facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art workshops, test cells and advanced non-destructive testing equipment to support digital diagnostics and robotic inspections. The hub is designed to handle up to 200 engine overhauls annually, with integrated workflows that reduce downtime. To sustain operations, the center will create 1,000 skilled positions, from technicians to quality inspectors, ensuring rapid maintenance cycles for widebody operators.
Rolls-Royce TotalCare customers worldwide and Turkish Airlines’ growing Airbus A350 fleet will benefit from the new center’s enhanced spare parts availability and streamlined maintenance schedules. By localizing MRO services, airlines can reduce logistics costs and accelerate engine returns to service. TotalCare subscribers can expect improved visibility into overhaul timelines, while Turkish Airlines will gain faster access to on-site expertise for both routine and unscheduled engine maintenance.
“We’re significantly increasing our global MRO capacity by 2030, and today’s announcement marks an important milestone,” said Rob Watson, President of Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce. He added that integrating Turkish Technic into the global network of flexible MRO providers will enhance support for TotalCare customers. The agreement, explored since April 2024, demonstrates Rolls-Royce’s long-term commitment to Türkiye’s aerospace sector.
The facility responds to Turkish Airlines’ landmark A350 order in late 2023, which made the carrier the largest operator of Trent XWB engines. That agreement included 120 Trent XWB-84 engines and 40 Trent XWB-97 variants, alongside options and spares. By expanding domestic MRO capacity, the airline will reduce reliance on overseas centers and ensure faster engine turnbacks for its long-haul fleet.
Turkish Technic projects that the Istanbul MRO hub will generate an average of seven hundred million dollars in annual exports, significantly boosting the national economy. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of Turkish Technic, said the facility, one of Europe’s largest, will strengthen the company’s leadership in Trent engine maintenance and support local supply chains. “With this expansion, we can deliver comprehensive services across multiple Trent models and meet evolving industry demands,” Bolat said.
Slated to open by the end of 2027 within Istanbul Airport’s maintenance campus, the new Rolls-Royce and Turkish Technic center will reinforce Istanbul’s role as a global aviation hub. Airlines operating Airbus A330neo and A350 aircraft can expect shorter maintenance cycles, improved engine availability and reduced logistics costs. As demand for Trent engine support grows, the partnership sets a new standard in MRO excellence, combining world-class engineering with efficient onsite services to serve regional and global customers.
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