A successful Co Down manufacturer is flying high today with news of yet another contract to supply its aircraft seats.

NI Economy Minister Nigel Dodds has welcomed the multi-million pound deal, between Thompson Solutions and Swiss International Airlines.

The Kilkeel company will supply its Vantage business class seat to Swiss International Airlines for use in the new Airbus A330 aircraft in 2009. The seat was developed with the help of research and dvelopment support from Invest Northern Ireland.

Welcoming the deal, the Minister said: "I commend Thompson Solutions on securing yet another major export deal with a prestigious international airline.

"The global aerospace market is currently growing year on year and this is presenting significant export opportunities for suppliers in the vibrant local aerospace sector.

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"Drawing from a strong talent pool and with a long-standing commitment to innovation and technical excellence, Thompson Solutions is an outstanding example to other local patent holding and design engineering manufacturers.

"Its ongoing relationship with Invest NI has also been instrumental in developing its leading edge products.

"I wish the company every success in fulfilling its orders with Swiss International and look forward to seeing the benefits to the local economy as a whole," he said.

James Thompson, President of Thompson Solutions, said: "Our product has been selected ahead of competing products from all other established seat manufacturers, which is testimony that Thompson products are trend-setting in offering both increased comfort to passengers and increased profitability to airlines.

"We are also delighted for our workforce as it is further evidence of the faith that some of the world’s leading airlines are placing with the highly skilled and capable team we are building in Kilkeel."

See: Airline Deal For Kilkeel High Flyers

(BMcC)