Page 9 - AAA JULY - AUGUST 2013 Online Magazine

FEATURE TURKISH MRO

Any airline looking at MRO contracting has to
make sure they make the right decision on what
will be a crucial relationship between them and
the MRO contractor

– Dr Ismail Demir

Turkish Delights

With all the attention on the big US and European MRO players moving into Asia, its
easy to overlook some of the smaller but equally successful MRO operators. One that
is intent on making waves in Asia is Turkish Technic, headed by long-time industry
expert Dr Ismail Demir.

“There is no doubT Mro ouTsourcing He says that projected turnover will be
is a trend, and there is no doubt it can US$1.5 billion in two years, with 25% of
bring significant cost reductions,” says that (at least US$330 million) coming
Dr Ismail Demir, CEO, Turkish Technic. from Far Asia. “We are aware that many
Demir, who has worked in Saudi Arabia, local MROs offer a good service, but our
the US, Canada and latterly Turkey, experience in some of the Central Asian
says that the trend makes sense to countries will be invaluable,” he notes.
many airline operators, and can cut “What we offer is a combination of quality,
labour inventory and operational costs service, and better value. It’s not always
significantly – especially on heavy just about the cost – there has to be an
maintenance requirements. Airport. Customers include Iraqi Airways, element of trust too.”
“But any airline looking at MRO Pegasus, AirBlue, MNG Airlines, Onur One thing that Turkish Technic has
contracting has to make sure they make Air, Yakutia, Ariana Afghan, Sky Airlines, marked out as an increasingly important
the right decision on what will be a crucial SunExpress, AtlasJet and more. issue that is yet to be addressed by the
relationship between them and the MRO One of the key issues that Demir cites aviation authorities – and one that it
contractor,” he warns. “The airline has as the reason for his company’s success maybe sees more often than some other
to be certain they have a partnership, not is its emphasis (with some visionary MROs as a result of its market base – is
just based on cost, but with transparency, government support) on training. certification. “We need a common [global
confidence and a set resolution process “Training is expensive [for MRO] but it is so certification] body,” asserts Demir. “The
decided beforehand if issues arise.” important – it is one thing on which there huge variety and difference in application
Turkish Technic, which handles MRO must be no compromise,” he says. Cost, he of standards – we are certified to EASA
on the 200-strong fleet of national carrier notes, should not be as big an issue when 145, JAA 145, FAA and Turkish DGCA
Turkish Airlines, also offers its services to it comes to ongoing training and currency. standards – will cause a huge problem
third parties through, amongst others, the “With the number of contant upgrades for authorities and leasing companies in
Airbus Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul coming through, and the availability of future, with things as they are,” he says.
(MRO) Network. Described by Didier Lux, e-learning, there is no excuse,” he asserts, But no matter what the standards
EVP Customer Services at Airbus as having adding that careful selection of workers are, there is no doubt Turkish Technic’s
“decades of experience in maintaining and sensible allocation of resources are 3,000 qualified employees and 77 years
commercial aircraft”, the company owns equally important. of experience will ensure customers
extensive heavy maintenance facilities Turkish Technic, says Demir, is can count on Demir’s most valuable
at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International aiming at Asia as a conduit for growth. benchmark: trust.
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