THK's firefighting aircraft put up for sale: Trustee board decision approved

A process has been initiated by court order for the sale of eight firefighting aircraft belonging to the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK). It was stated that the sale process, managed by the AKP-appointed trustee board, has reached its final stage. While the total value of the aircraft is stated to be 37.6 million dollars, the sale was approved by the Ankara 9th Civil Court of Peace.

FOUNDED BY ATATÜRK

Founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1925, the THK has been managed by a trustee board since 2019. In recent years, the institution has been rendered increasingly dysfunctional through the disposal of its assets. The aircraft, which are of great importance in the fight against forest fires, had begun to be used again following public backlash. However, the court has now authorized their sale.

While the value of the aircraft was determined by an expert report, it was noted that three of the aircraft are actively used, while five are in need of maintenance and repair. In previous statements made by THK Trustee Board Chairman Kemal Yurtnaç, it was stated that the aircraft in question were extremely suitable for firefighting. It was emphasized that the aircraft, which are stated to have a water-carrying capacity of approximately 5 thousand liters, have a robust airframe structure.

On the other hand, former Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli and AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had claimed that the aircraft were old and in an unusable condition. However, firefighting aircraft pilots who were dismissed from the THK opposed these claims, arguing that the aircraft could be actively used.

While it is known that THK Trustee Board Chairman Kemal Yurtnaç was an AKP parliamentary candidate nominee for Tokat in 2015 but was not included in the list, it was revealed that the judge who appointed the trustee, Ömer Azküçük, later took a position in the AKP's election strategy office.

News Source: 12punto