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INTERVIEW TURKISH AIRLINES

twice the size of Turkish Technic’s other
facilities and will provide plenty of space to
cater to more third-party customers, the
company official says.
According to Turkish Technic, the
facility has two hangars, one of which has
11 narrowbody bays and the other has
three widebody bays, one of which is for
paint. It also includes considerable space
for components as well as state-of-the-
art hydraulics, landing gear and avionics
repair shops.
HABOM at the Sabiha, which in Turkish
means aviation heavy maintenance and
overhaul facility, has already opened one
hangar and two shops, but the facility
will take few more months to be fully
operational, he says.
Turkish Airlines operates out of
both airports. Taking advantage of the
geography and the opportunities available,
Turkish Technic is making a bid to become
a global player in the MRO business
and gain more and more business from
outside its home turf, though Dr. Demir
feels that there are constraints in going to
unexplored markets.
Apart from the Middle East, the
company’s potential customer base
stretches to the Balkans and Europe and
to Russia and central Asia. “India, China,
Afghanistan and Pakistan are our potential
customers,” Dr. Demir says. In East Asia,
Turkish Technic is looking at Philippines
and Indonesia.
“It’s easy to do business if you have
a base...long time presence is very
important,” he adds. The company may
component support for the budget airline’s of maintenance, repair and overhaul also look at partnership opportunities in
Boeing 737 NG fleet for a term of five years operations primarily to Turkish Airlines fleet Northern Africa.
extendable to ten years. in its existing facilities at Istanbul Ataturk “Our geographical positioning gives
The contract comprises component International Airport, is also providing us an advantage...but we do not actively
supply and repair on ATA Chapter basis. services to various customer airlines from seek specific partnerships, but if there is a
Components are being supplied from Turkey and surrounding countries. willingness and if conditions are suitable,
Istanbul. Repair and overhaul work of the Investments in space and hangar are then we are ready for joint ventures,” Dr.
components are being executed at the a major requirement for MRO activities. Demir says.
Turkish Technic facilities. With the new sprawling facility of Turkish Turkish Technic is also expanding
With over 77 years of experience and Technic located at the Sabiha Gökçen its MRO capabilities in order to service
more than 3,000 qualified employees, International Airport, the company hopes military aircraft, Dr. Demir says.
Turkish Technic offers the advantage that there will be an increase in the growth “The company is currently assigned
of an integrated maintenance, repair of customers. to support B737-700 aircraft as the
and overhaul complex complete with The new facility, which is around 70 km platform of Airborne Early Warning and
comprehensive services. away from the existing facilities located at Control (AEW&C) for the purpose of
Turkish Technic, as the provider the Atatürk International Airport, is almost training, engineering, maintenance and
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