Skymark Airlines Selects Recaro Economy-Class Seat for New Boeing 737-800 Aircraft
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APEX Insight: Recaro’s seat sales have have grown considerably over recent years, leading the company to begin a renovation and expansion of its manufacturing facilities. The most recent order is from Japan’s Skymark Airlines, for over 500 of Recaro’s BL3530 lightweight short-haul seats.
Japan’s Skymark Airlines has selected Recaro’s BL3530 lightweight short-haul seats for its three new Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The total order is for over 500 seats and the first shipset of 177 seats was delivered in June of this year.
The economy-class seat weighs just over 10 kilograms and features a high literature pocket, a tablet PC holder, a USB power outlet and multiple stowage locations for personal items. Recaro has sold over 400,000 BL3530 seats since the model was introduced.
Skymark Airlines, headquartered at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, currently flies 27 Boeing 737-800 planes to 11 domestic destinations. The majority of its fleet is equipped with Recaro seats.
“Comfort, connectivity, and light weight define the BL3530,” said Masahiko Ichie, Skymark Airlines’ president and CEO. “The seats add improved living space and combine Recaro’s modern design style with superior production quality. We are looking forward to flying this wonderful seat solution.”
This order follows a the recent announcement that Air China will equip its fleet of A350 aircraft with Recaro’s CL3710 economy-class seats €” an order numbering 2,500 seats in all.
Earlier this month, Recaro announced that it will grow its headquarters in Schwaebish Hall, Germany, to keep up with growth. It will expand to include recently acquired land and buildings and will include the construction of new buildings and renovations to the existing facilities. The company will open new development and 3200 sqm testing hall and fire testing centers, a new canteen for staff and additional parking spaces for employees.
Last year, the company’s sales grew to 487 million Euros and Recaro expects double-digit growth this year. The company’s staff has also grown to 1,300 employees at Schwaebisch Hall and 2,700 employees worldwide.
“The expansion project which we named ‘space2grow’ also reflects a clear commitment to our Schwaebisch Hall location and to the region,” said Dr. Mark Hiller, CEO of Recaro Aircraft Seating. “We also need to successfully meet the demands of these high growth levels – today and into the future.”
The first phase of “space2grow” will begin in early 2019. The company is also expanding facilities in Poland and China.