Maintenance

Turkish Airlines’ maintenance division, Turkish Technic, has firmed a joint-venture agreement with engine manufacture Pratt & Whitney to establish a powerplant overhaul centre in Istanbul.

It will specialise in maintaining International Aero Engines V2500s and CFM International CFM56s.

Terms of the agreement have not been disclosed but the facility will be the eighth such centre for Pratt & Whitney.

It will be known as the Pratt & Whitney Turkish Technic Aircraft Engine Maintenance Centre. Construction will begin early this year and the first engine will be accepted next year.

Turkish Technic says the facility will overhaul up to 200 engines per year. Chairman Metin Kilci says the partnership will “bring a fresh breath” to the Turkish aviation sector.

“This giant step will be a good example for future foreign direct investments to our country, especially those increasing employment opportunities in such technological areas,” he adds.

Turkish Technic and Pratt & Whitney signed a memorandum of understanding in late 2006 to set up the overhaul base at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news