Airlines purchasing the A350, A330/neo and A320/neo family aircraft now have a new option for a seating supplier. TSI Aviation Seats – a joint venture of Turkish Airlines, Turkish Technic and Assan Hanil (a joint-venture between Kibar Holding, and Hanil Seoyon E-Hwa, a South Korean global auto parts supplier) – now has multiple options listed in the buyer furnished equipment (BFE) catalog. This allows airlines or lessors to select the TSI seats and have them installed on the factory line rather than after the aircraft is delivered.
We are happy to see the fruits of this beautiful cooperation. As the first and only aircraft seat manufacturer of Turkey, TSI’s goal is to become one of the top five aviation seat brands in the global market by 2023. I think that this success is an important cornerstone on the way to our goal. I also believe that this agreement with Airbus will be the herald of new agreements in the civil aviation sector.
– Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, M. İlker Aycı
With the deal TSI’s Skysofa and Epianka models will be listed as economy class options for aircraft buyers. Both models are already installed on commercial aircraft, delivering a full service suite of options, including embedded IFE screen mount, adjustable headrest and in-seat power mounting.
The widebody-focused Skysofa first delivered to Airbus in 2015 while the more versatile Epianka flew on Turkish Airlines’ A321neo and 737MAX planes in 2018 and the 787 in 2019. A350 deliveries with Epianka began in Q3 2019.
Also listed as a “future product” is the Elesa S model that delivers fewer features for a single-aisle aircraft installation in a lighter, less expensive frame compared to the Epianka. It will move to the regular listing as its manufacture scale increases.
TSI and Airbus will also list the Royalux business class product in the BFE catalog once it receives certification from authorities. It offers an upgraded single-aisle experience with a 2-2 recliner layout, power, IFE and electrical recline controls.
The catalogue not only provides an opportunity to be visible for the suppliers, but also brings the prestige of being approved by Airbus. Considering the Airbus catalogue project’s share in the total aircraft orders and expected increase in the retrofit projects along with the other projects of TSI Seats, we aim to reach over 100 million USD exports in 2023.
– Kibar Holding CEO Haluk Kayabaşı
Gaining access to the catalog is a mark of approval from Airbus, indicating the aircraft supplier trusts the components will be delivered on time should an airline select them for installation. It speaks to the manufacturing processes and business operations reliability of TSI Seating’s operations.
With Turkish Technic involved in the efforts it is no surprise that Turkish Airlines is a customer. Similar to the recent Global Eagle/THY inflight connectivity deal, having Technic included is a key factor in securing orders from the airline. In this case TSI Seating also has other customers, including Nordwind and Azerbaijan Airlines. The Global Eagle IFC partnership hopes to expand similarly in the future.
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