Turkey’s first aeronautical expo kicks off in Antalya

ANTALYA

Turkey’s first aeronautical expo kicked off on April 25 with the participation of national and international dignitaries.

The five-day Eurasia Show in the southern province of Antalya - held under the auspices of the Turkish Presidency and with Turkey’s national flag carrier Turkish Airlines as its main sponsor - brings together major players of the global aerospace industry.

A total of 73 planes will be displayed and around 320 companies, including 35 foreign firms, will showcase their products at the event.

Trade agreements worth $10 billion are expected to be signed.

Yüksel Coşkunyürek, deputy minister for transportation, maritime and telecommunications, praised the importance of the aviation sector in the country.

“Since 2003 we have invested over $4.5 billion in the aviation sector with the private sector’s support. Currently $13.5 billion worth of investments are being processed,” Coşkunyürek said.

The number of airports in Turkey has grown to 55 from only 26 in 2003. From 35 million passengers in 2003, the figure has increased to over 200 million, he added.

“The Eurasia Airshow will contribute to the promotion of Turkey’s aerospace sector,” he said, also stressing the need to produce and develop technology locally.

İsmail Demir, undersecretary for the defense industry of Turkey, said the perception that the country cannot be a key player in the aviation sector is changing.

“Turkey aims for excellence in the aviation sector and this expo is a shining example,” Demir said, referring to projects for F16 optimization, the Atak helicopter, Gokturk-1 and Gokturk-2 satellites and warplanes.

“In the coming five days we will discuss joint efforts,” said Oleg Bocharov, the Russian deputy minister of industry and trade.