Istanbul Airshow - The Fair that Merges the Continents
The 10th International Civil Aviation and Airports Exhibition and Aviation Industry Supply Chain Platform (Istanbul Airshow 2014) was held on September 25-28, 2014 at the General Aviation Apron in Yeşilköy. In addition to Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A350XWB passenger aircrafts, the Basic Training Aircraft “Hürkuş”, development studies of which are still being carried out by TAI, were displayed for the first time at the fair where 200 companies from over 40 countries attended. “Hürkuş” also accomplished a demonstration flight at Istanbul skies for the first time.
The Minister of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications Mr. Lütfi Elvan, Undersecretary for Defence Industries Prof. İsmail Demir, General Director of State Airports Authority Mr. Orhan Birdal, General Director of Civil Aviation Mr. Bilal Ekşi, THY Chairman of the Board Mr. Hamdi Topçu, President of THY Mr. Temel Kotil, TAV CEO Mr. Sani Şener and many participants to the opening ceremony of Istanbul Air Show 2014.
In his speech at the opening of 10th International Civil Aviation and Airports Exhibition and Aviation Industry Supply Chain Platform (Istanbul Airshow 2014), the Minister of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications Mr. Lütfi Elvan mentioned the great contributions of Istanbul Airshow to the development of civil aviation in Turkey that has been bringing the world aviation sector in Istanbul since 1996. Elvan stated that these Fair provided opportunities to observe the innovations related with the aircraft and airport industries, follow the developments in the world aviation market, develop the business connections and added that they attached significant importance to international organizations taking place in Turkey such as Airshow.
Atatürk Airport to witness one of the greatest airshows in the world in 2018
Elvan stated that they seized the opportunity to gather Turkey’s aviation sector with foreign sector representatives through such organizations and said the participation and interest to Istanbul Airshow was gradually increasing. Elvan also underlined that as the Ministry, they would continue to provide the required support to Istanbul Airshow and similar events for their organizations and sustainability and added, “By the end of 2016, we will be completing the first stage of the third airport in Istanbul. When a certain part of the third airport becomes operational, this area we have here would be more convenient for the Airshow. Atatürk Airport will witness one of the greatest airshows in the world in 2018”.
The priority of the Regional Passenger Aircraft Program is to place the production line in Turkey
Remarking that Turkey is becoming a country that develops its own aviation technologies and indigenous aviation products Elvan said, “Our project studies regarding the production of regional passenger aircraft in our country are at the final stage. There are approximately 11 companies in the world that manufacture these narrow-bodied aircrafts with a passenger capacity of 120 and less. Our colleagues are conducting comprehensive negotiations with the relevant parties on this issue. Our desire is to produce our own aircraft. We will have certain conditions especially regarding the copyrights and other domestic production issues. We do not prefer to accomplish merely the assembly of the aircraft in Turkey, instead we wish to produce the main components in Turkey, locate the production line in our country and develop the platform in Turkey. I believe we could cooperate if these conditions are covered. I hope to share the concrete results and our road map with you in the forthcoming days”.
Undersecretary for Defence Industries Prof. İsmail Demir emphasized that attaching more importance to the industrial infrastructure for reaching the target of 25 million USD export volume in 2023 in defence industry was essential and added, “We are quite aware of the fact that investing in this infrastructure is of vital importance”. Prof. Demir mentioned that with Turkey’s leaps especially in the recent years brought the country’s impact and dominance to preferential position in the region. Prof. Demir stated that Turkey was the “rising star” and Turkey’s strategic location, growing economy and dynamism were significant parameters with respect to fair organization. Prof. Demir underlined that this fair would be one of the “most attractive airshow in the world” in the future.
Following the opening remarks, Minister of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications Mr. Lütfi Elvan, Undersecretary for Defence Industries Prof. İsmail Demir and the accompanying delegation examined the “New Generation Basic Training Aircraft “Hürkuş” displayed in the static area at TAI’s stand. The delegation then visited the companies in the Fair and was informed on the demonstrated products and their capabilities from the company representatives.
