Turkish Airlines aircraft to feature first locally produced aircraft seat

• The first aircraft equipped with the new seats is a Turkish Airlines B737-800
  

Doha; March 10, 2014 Turkish Airlines, Turkey's national carrier, has partnered in a major initiative to pioneer a significant first in the country’s civil aviation sector. 

In line with the objective of 'one hundred percent Turkish aircraft production' envisioned for the airline’s centennial in 2023, Turkish Airlines, Turkish Technic and Assan Hanil, have partnered to create Turkish Seat Industries (TSI), a US$5 million project to design and build the first locally produced airline seat.

The first aircraft equipped with the new seats is a Turkish Airlines B737-800 and it was unveiled at a presentation hosted by Turkish Airlines at Atatürk Airport's Hangar No. 2.

In attendance were the Minister of Finance Mehmet Simsek, Turkish Airlines Chairman Hamdi Topçu, Turkish Airlines General Manager Assoc. Dr. Temel Kotil, TSI Chairman Assoc. Dr. Ismail Demir, TSI General Manager Fahri Bayır, Hanil E-Hwa Chairman Dr. Yang Seok RYU, Kibar Holding Chairman Ali Kibar and Assan Hanil General Manager Okan Gedik.

"TSI's basic vision is to deliver the best solutions in terms of comfort, aesthetics, safety and logistics in the aircraft passenger seat industry. This partnership has now produced its first result. It is a great honor for us to present the first aircraft outfitted with the new seats,” said Turkish Airlines Chairman Hamdi Topçu.

The design concept began in September 2011 at TSI’s Izmit facility. The company carried out the entire aircraft seat design and development process in Turkey, including automation and software.

After about three years of meticulous studies, TSI began mass production of the initial aircraft seat model designed to bring new levels of passenger comfort. The seats will initially be used on the airline’s B737-800s, and then be installed on the Airbus single-aisle fleet of A319s, A320s and A321s. The initial annual production rate of 10,000 units will increase to 50,000 by 2024.

TSI uses an automated production system, which is the world’s fastest, and employs a zero fault principle and technology. Similarly, installation of the aircraft seat includes a complex technical infrastructure which is also monitored using advanced technologies. The computer automation enables the manufacturing of products with zero defects. Unique in the world with the implementation of this automation system, Turkish Seats Industries aims to be well ahead of its rivals in terms of production rates. 

The seat’s slim, lightweight design combines high quality with the guarantee of fast delivery. “In the first stage the company will refurbish Turkish Airlines’ existing aircraft. We aim in the near future to begin factory installation of the seats on aircraft prior to delivery as a result of negotiations with both Boeing and Airbus. With this agreement, the seats will be shipped to the world's leading aircraft manufacturers and the company will see its global market share increase to 10 percent by 2024,” said TSI’s General Manager Fahri Bayır.

As the nation’s global brand ambassador, Turkish Airlines further strengthens its position as one of the world’s largest and most recognized airlines with a globe-spanning network that benefits from Istanbul’s unique geographic location. Having already won numerous awards for its service and attention to detail, the airline continues to pursue its goal of being acknowledged as the "World's Best Airline".

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About Turkish Airlines:

Founded in 1933 with a fleet of 5 planes, Turkish Airlines is a member of Star Alliance and today it has a fleet of 238 planes (both passenger and cargo) and operates scheduled flights to a total of 244 destinations - 202 international and 42 domestic. Skytrax named Turkish Airlines, a 4-star airline company, as the “Best Airline in Europe” in 2013 for the 3rd year running, and the “Best Airline in Southern Europe” for the 5th year running. Turkish Airlines, which received the title “Best Food in Economy Class” award on a global scale in 2010, also earned Skytrax’ “Best Food in Business Class” award this year. For more information about Turkish Airlines, please visit www.turkishairlines.com.

About Star Alliance:

Turkish Airlines is a member of the global Star Alliance network established in 1997. Star Alliance offers more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries. Star Alliance received numerous awards, including the “Market Leadership Award” Award from both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax Air Transport World and the “Best Airline Alliance” award from both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. Among the member airlines of Star Alliance are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, TACA Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAM Airlines, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and US Airways.

About Turkish Airlines Technic Inc.

Located at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Turkish Airlines Technic Inc. is a leading Aircraft Maintenance and Repair Center in the region. Certified by the EASA, JAA, FAA and DGCA to provide maintenance services, Turkish Airlines Technic Inc. provides maintenance/repair services with many component workshops ranging from Airframe Heavy Maintenance, Engine, and APU to landing gear. It is the largest enterprise in the region offering certified comprehensive maintenance and repair services for more than 12.000 Boeing and Airbus aircraft components. Turkish Airlines Technic Inc. offers its customers maintenance services from A to Z at its center located at Ataturk Airport with two large hangars in Istanbul for wide and narrow-bodied aircraft, 1 VIP and light aircraft hangar and another hangar for narrow-bodied aircraft in Ankara. Turkish Airlines Technic Inc. provides customer-focused maintenance services to business partners, airlines and financial institutions. With 78 years of experience serving Turkey's first civil aviation organization, Turkish Airlines, and over 3,000 qualified employees, Turkish Airlines Technic Inc. offers its customers the advantages of being an integrated maintenance and repair center.

About Kibar Holding

Kibar Holding is a multifaceted firm with deep roots in Turkey’s economy. In 1996, Assan Hanil began a partnership with South Korea’s Hanil E-HWA to work jointly in the automotive supply industry. Assan Hanil began production operations in 1997; initially only supplying parts for Hyundai Assan. Hovever, Assan Hanil now manufactures parts such as passenger and driver seats, door panels, ceiling and carpet coverings, parcel shelves, front and rear bumpers, front control panels, blow molding parts and glove boxes at its 30,000 m2 plant in Kocaeli with a dynamic team of around 500.

Having ISO/TS 16949, ISO 14001, 2011, OHSAS 18001, Q1 and a 5 Star Quality System as well as the IRIS (International Railway Industry Standard) certificates, Assan Hanil made a strategic decision in 2011 to open its R&D Design Office at Teknopark on the Bursa Uludağ University campus. In March 2014 it will open a 9000 m² indoor area, the Assan Hanil Bursa Demirtaş Organized Industrial Zone Manufacturing Facility, to produce Karsan and HMC (Hyundai Motor Company) M2 class van interior and exterior trim parts and housing.