MRO Middle East: Turkish MRO delight at “aviation crossroads”

In addition, it has just launched a new engine repair facility in a joint venture with Pratt & Whitney (P&W) and aims to set up other deals with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in areas that include landing gear and thrust reversers.

The company’s expansion is on the back of parent company Turkish Airlines’ ongoing profitability and growth plans that include a fleet expansion of 105 aircraft.

“We have very important expansion plans that reflect our confidence in the future,” said Turkish Technic purchasing manager Omer Saruhanlioglu at the show yesterday.

“Our MRO bases are at the crossroads of a huge region, with markets that are very important to us, including the Middle East, the CIS countries and Eastern Europe.”

Just two months ago, the Turkish Engine Centre was launched under the joint venture with P&W. It will focus on the CFM-56 and V2500 engines.

Next in line is a massive expansion of Turkish Technic’s MRO capacity with the launch of the $300 million plus Habom project to be built at the newly-established Sabiha Gokeen international airport at Istanbul. The facility is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2011 and will feature a three-hangar complex capable of taking five twin aisle and up to 12 single aisle aircraft. The third hangar will be a state-of-the-art paint shop.

“This is a very significant project to be undertaking in an economic crisis,” said Saruhanlioglu. “It shows our confidence in the future.”

He added that customer priorities had shifted during the recent economic crisis.

“In the last year, the most important issue for the customer was pricing,” he said. “Prior to that priority for the customer was turn-around time. We were able to adapt to this new situation.”