Turkish Technic Builds On Strong External Sales

Turkish Airlines’ maintenance arm grew its external sales by 27% in the first half of this year, sustaining the momentum it built up in 2023, when external sales climbed by more than 25%.

Turkish Technic’s share of total group revenue is still small, at 2.7%, when compared with leading airline MRO providers such as Lufthansa Technik, which has external sales comprise 16% of group turnover. However, the share is growing as the MRO provider seeks more third-party customers.

In late July, for example, the company signed a new component support deal with Indonesian budget carrier Citilink.

Covering the airline’s Airbus A320 fleet, the contract includes landing gear overhauls as well as component pooling, repair, modification, home base kits and logistics services.

To support these customers and the growth of its parent airline’s massive fleet, Turkish Technic increased headcount by more than 10% to 10,500 staff last year.

Speaking to Inside MRO in late 2023, Turkish Technic’s Bilal Karaman, senior vice president for aircraft maintenance, noted that in contrast to many of its peers, the MRO provider faced few recruitment problems, but noted that the real challenge was keeping young people motivated and willing to stay within the sector.

It is also exploring new capabilities. Following a big order for Airbus A350 widebodies powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the airline group in April announced a partnership with the British engine OEM to explore potentially establishing MRO facilities in Turkey for the engine.

Another string to Turkish Technic's bow is freighter conversions. The MRO provider’s Istanbul facility was selected by EFW as its ninth center for Airbus A330P2F conversions in October 2023. The first conversion is underway and should be complete by the middle of this year.

In addition to hangars at Istanbul’s Ataturk, Istanbul and Sabiha Gokcen airports, Turkish Technic also has facilities in Ankara and Aydin.