CDB Aviation, the Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing, has delivered the first two, from an order of twelve, Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to Turkish Airlines, marking a key step in the carrier’s fleet expansion. The aircraft, powered by CFM International Leap-1B engines, were handed over from CDB Aviation’s existing orderbook with Boeing.
The deal, originally agreed in 2023, will see the full batch of twelve aircraft joining AJet, the wholly owned low-cost subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, between 2025 and 2026. AJet is central to Turkish Airlines’ growth strategy, with ambitions to become a competitive force in the global budget aviation market.
The delivery highlights the close relationship between CDB Aviation and Turkish Airlines, a partnership that has strengthened in recent years as the airline has sought to expand capacity and modernise its fleet. Commenting on the milestone, Jie Chen, Chief Executive of CDB Aviation, emphasised the importance of the collaboration: “We are very pleased to further advance the ongoing strong collaboration with our valued customer, Turkish Airlines. This significant stream of MAX 8 deliveries will contribute toward the airline’s stated goal for AJet to become an important part of the low-cost aviation industry on a global scale.”
For CDB Aviation, the delivery represents another demonstration of its role as a global lessor with a strong presence in commercial aircraft financing. The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing, continues to focus on supporting major carriers in their efforts to modernise fleets with more efficient and environmentally conscious aircraft.
The arrival of the 737 MAX 8s will provide Turkish Airlines and AJet with additional fuel-efficient narrow-body capacity at a time of growing passenger demand and competition in low-cost travel.
