This is the flag carrier’ first aircraft to feature seats by Turkish Seats Industries (TSI), producer of the first aircraft seat, designed and built in Turkey.
Boeing and Turkish Airlines have celebrated the Turkish flag-carrier’s new direct delivery with a special event within this afternoon at its base at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. The airline took the delivery of its 30th Boeing 777-300ER that welcomed with a traditional water salute. The 777-300ER’ arrival, the latest addition to the European carrier’s growing fleet of more than 100 Boeing airplanes, also comes into prominence as a highly significant delivery for the carrier as it is the first aircraft to feature seats by Turkish Seats Industries (TSI), a complete Turkish brand through a close collaboration with Boeing. TSI, the first locally aircraft seat producer in Turkey, which is a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Assan Hanil, aims to play a key role in the global aircraft seat market with its innovative, lightweight, quality products.
“While consistently investing in its overall services, Turkish Airlines has always put special emphasis to further built in its infrastructure investments which also make a major contribution to further progress of Turkish Aviation Industry. Three years ago, we partnered in a significant initiative to pioneer another first in Turkish Civil Aviation. By establishing Turkish Seat Industry (TSI), in collaboration with Assan Hanil, we took a more active role in the industry through logistical support. And now we’re taking the delivery of the first aircraft equipped with those locally produced seats designed by TSI, an installation manufactured in Turkey that conforms to all international standards. With adding this 30th Boeing 777-300ER to our ever expanding fleet, we look forward to TSI to become a leading brand across the industry, and be a substantial part of our aircrafts in the near future.” said M. İlker Aycı, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines.
Commenting this delivery, Can Şaşmaz, General Manager of TSI, said; “TSI have completed the delivery of economy class seats for a Turkish Airlines’ B777 aircraft which is registered as TC-JLK and with a MSN number 60402, where TSI have completed the design, certification and production of the seats earlier than Boeing’s prediction. As TSI, we are honoured and proud to be an important part of Turkish Aviation History and supply seats to iconic Boeing B777 aircraft, in addition to gain the Turkey’ national flag carrier’, Turkish Airlines’ confidence in supporting the airlines aircraft, to note the airline has one of the youngest aircraft fleet currently in operation worldwide.”
“Turkish Airlines has been a long-standing and key partner for Boeing and we are proud of their confidence and trust in Boeing’s technology and industry-leading airplanes such as the 777,” said Marty Bentrott, Vice President for Sales, Middle East, Turkey, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “This delivery is especially significant since it is the first to feature seats by Turkish Seat Industries (TSI). We look forward to further developing and strengthening our relationship with Turkish Airlines and the Turkish Aviation Industry.”
Turkish Airlines and Boeing share a long history that goes back to 1945, with the arrival of the airline’s first DC-3/C-47 airliners. Turkish Airlines entered the jet age in the late 1960s, when the airline began operating DC-9, DC-10 and Boeing 707 airplanes. Over the years, the Turkish carrier has also flown the Boeing 727, 757, MD-80 and the most modern 737 and 777 airplanes. Boeing’s backlog with Turkish Airlines includes two 777 Freighters and 75 737 MAXs.
About Turkish Airlines:
Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines is a 4-star airline today with a fleet of 339 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 299 destinations worldwide with 250 international and 49 domestic. According to Skytrax survey of 2016, Turkish Airlines was chosen “Europe’s Best Airline” for the 6th and “Best Airline in Southern Europe” for the 8th consecutive time. Turkish Airlines was awarded for the world’s “Best Onboard Catering – Economy Class” in 2010, and the world’s “Best Business Class Airline Catering” in 2013, 2014, and once again this year; and according to this year’s results, it has also been awarded the “Best Business Class Lounge Dining” award for two years in a row. More information on Turkish Airlines is available on our website www.turkishairlines.com or our Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Linkedin and Instagram accounts.
About Boeing:
Since 2000, Boeing Turkey has completed more than 200 corporate citizenship projects in the fields of education, art and culture and health services. Boeing has been actively supporting education programs for different age groups ranging from primary schools, to vocational schools and universities and Boeing education projects have benefited more than 140,000 students across Turkey. Some of these programs include “Air Transport Management Master’s Program” with the collaboration of Istanbul Technical University and Turkish Airlines to equip the Airline’s up and coming executives with the leadership and management skills, and the vocational schools project, where Boeing signed a protocol with the Ministry of Education and Anadolu University to train the teachers and students in aircraft maintenance in vocational schools throughout Turkey. Boeing also provides business internships in Seattle for aspiring Turkish university students.
About Star Alliance:
Turkish Airlines is a member of Star Alliance, which provides a worldwide transportation, recognition and services for those traveling internationally, and which was established as the first global airline alliance in 1997. The airline companies, being the members of Star Alliance that is deemed worthy of numerous awards, including “Market Leadership Award” by the Air Transport World and “Best Airline Alliance” by the Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax, are as follows: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Avianca Brazil, 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, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI and United. Currently, Star Alliance members operate more than 18,450 flights to 1300 airports across 190 countries daily.