Acro enjoys sweet taste of African success

UK-based passenger aircraft seat manufacturer Acro Aircraft Seating has secured a contract to manufacture and install its Ultra R seats aboard Mango Airlines entire fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
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The deal which includes six shipsets and equates to 1116 economy class seats, marks the first major African client for the manufacturer.
Distinguished by an ultra-light weight and slim seatback design, the UItra R seats on the first newly re-fitted Boeing 737-800 entered service last week with the second aircraft to follow on August 31st. Acro Aircraft Seating is currently in negotiations with Mango Airlines for an additional two shipsets due for completion in 2014.
Mango said it selected Acro’s Ultra R seat as it offered the most passenger space, comfort and weight savings of all those it tested. Crucially, the weight savings of approximately 800kg per aircraft will help the airline improve fuel efficiency, reduce CO2 emissions and realise significant cost savings to the extent that the new Ultra R seats will literally pay for themselves. The seats feature attractive E-Leather upholstery and a modular seatback with a generous recline of more than four inches.
Doug Hacking, Commercial Director, Acro Aircraft Seating said: “Fuel efficiency along with passenger comfort were the key drivers in Mango’s decision to select the Ultra R seat. Passengers will certainly notice the difference – its lightweight and slim design of the seatback offers outstanding comfort and more shin and legroom space. The Ultra R seat proves that comfortable travel with more space in economy class is possible."
20-year old established Acro believes that good design comes from the application of common sense, engineering rigour and practical experience of the service environment. The company designs, certifies and manufactures lightweight, robust and comfortable economy seats for regionals, legacy, low cost and traditional carriers including Royal Air Maroc, Thomas Cook Airlines, Jet2.com and Aer Arann. Acro’s seat portfolio satisfies a wide range of aircraft types and different cabin class options and has the capability to produce 1,000 seats a month.