Airbus Press Centre - press release

In the framework of ongoing dialogue with its Turkish customers and operators,

Airbus held a three-day free of charge training seminar for airline maintenance

and engineering departments, in Istanbul, from 20 to 22

^nd October. This event - an industry first in Turkey, took place at Turkish Airlines?

training centre and was attended by some 50 engineers from six different Turkish

carriers. The subject, which covered Airbus aircraft operational reliability control

programme, had been identified by several of these airlines as a pressing training

need.

The programme focused on topics such as ways to implement a streamlined reliability

programme within a maintenance and engineering organisation; optimisation of the

organisational structure to smoothly run the programme and to increase productivity,

the role of the reliability control programme in the context of overall aircraft

operations.  Several workshops were organised with practical and dynamic case

studies which made this seminar highly successful.

?Airbus is very pleased with the close partnership it has built with Turkish

carriers -whether scheduled, charter or cargo carriers. Theses initiatives can

only help them in their search to provide best service to their own customers,

which is key to their commercial success?, said Daniel Bical, Airbus Customer

Support Director who ran the seminar.

Airbus Customer Services covers all areas of support including spare parts and

technical advice. Over the years, Airbus has developed an innovative and flexible

approach to service, acting in partnership with its customers and suppliers. Today

it provides the most competent front line support services that help airlines

increase safety, achieve their goals and enhance the profitability of their fleets.

With a continued focus on the highest quality in aircraft design, operational

reliability, passenger comfort and customer service, Airbus, which consistently

wins about half of all airlines sales worldwide, has been successful in Turkey

too, with its aircraft making up all the widebody fleet operated by Turkish carriers.

THY Turkish Airlines, which in 1984 became one of the European aircraft manufacturer?s

earliest customers with the A310, was also one of the very first customers and

operators of Airbus? four-engine ultra-long range A340, in 1993. With its seven-strong

A340 fleet, the Turkish flag-carrier serves non-stop routes from Istanbul such

as to the United States, South East Asia and Japan.

Other Airbus operators in Turkey include Onur Air, which became the world?s first

charter operator of the A321 in 1996, Flyair, and MNG Airlines Cargo, shortly

to be joined by low cost airline Freebird and freight carrier Orex.