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QATAR - Transport

Erol Şenol

Vice President of Sales (Middle East & Cyprus), Turkish Airlines

Bio

Erol Şenol is the Vice President of Sales in Turkish Airlines, which has been recognized as the best airline of Europe numerous times. Before his 17 years career with Turkish Airlines, he served three years in banking sector. Şenol has also held various positions in the UK, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, finally appointed as VP Sales of Middle East & Cyprus after serving six years as General Manager for Western Region in KSA.

"Despite the expected global annual growth rate of 4.8% from 2023 to 2033, our strategic plan is built upon an annual average growth rate of 7.6%."

Turkish Airlines’ growth strategy includes fleet expansion, brand enhancement, digitalization, innovation, and sustainability initiatives, among others.

What is Turkish Airlines’ strategy to stay ahead of its competitors in the market?

We have formulated a comprehensive strategy encompassing various aspects to ensure our continued success and competitive edge in the airline market. Despite the expected global annual growth rate of 4.8% from 2023 to 2033, our strategic plan is built upon an annual average growth rate of 7.6%. Turkish Airlines sheds light on the medium and long-term goals, fleet expansion, network development, financial targets, brand enhancement, digitalization and innovation, subsidiary contributions, and sustainability initiatives. We have experienced robust growth in recent years, achieving a four-fold increase in market share over the past two decades. With a fleet exceeding 400 aircraft and an emphasis on profitability during this rapid expansion, we are poised to further extend our reach. Turkish Airlines has consistently maintained its position as the airline that flies to most destinations in the world, operating in 129 countries. The strategy involves opening new routes, reaching 345 destinations, and adding more than 50 in the next decade. We also aim to be the world’s most prestigious carrier, with a particular emphasis on enhancing business class offerings. Investments in standardized business class products, the renewal of seats, and the opening of 20 new international lounges are part of this commitment. Our AnadoluJet brand is undergoing a transformation to Ajet, focusing on countering low-cost carrier competition. We will optimize operational efficiency with decreasing unit costs with new operating structure, while simultaneously boosting ancillary revenue through strategic merchandising and unbundling. The repositioning involves fleet growth, especially with new-generation aircraft, and expanding the international network. The aim is to convert the entire Ajet fleet to new-generation aircraft within five years, providing a significant cost advantage.

Turkish Airlines is launching TK Holidays packages. What will the new offerings include?

Turkish Airlines Holidays, a holiday package brand of Turkish Airlines, specializes in comprehensive packages covering flights and hotels. Additionally, it boasts Miles&Smiles, a loyalty program gifting passengers with miles for their flights. As a Turkish Airlines brand, it inherently offers a substantial brand guarantee. Operating through its dedicated website, visitors can seamlessly plan their entire vacation experience, choosing hotels, flights, and even arranging car rentals or transfers—all within one platform. The packages, curated from a vast flight network and meticulously selected hotels, are presented to guests at attractive prices. Starting with packages originating in Türkiye, operations expanded in 2023 to include countries like Qatar. Via Turkish Airlines Holidays, Qatari visitors can effortlessly plan vacations in Türkiye and global destinations. Looking forward to 2024, Turkish Airlines Holidays aims to extend operations to countries with significant tourism potential, marking strides toward its goal of becoming a global brand.

How does having the latest technology help train employees and enable Turkish Airlines to reach new heights in the airline industry?

As an airline committed to delivering top-notch service, we are prioritizing the continual improvement of our flight crew’s competencies. We have a flight training center located in Istanbul that is not only one of the world’s leading flight training facilities in terms of size but also in technical infrastructure and modernity. Additionally, we are enhancing our flight crew training capacity for our 2033 goals with domestic simulator devices produced by Havelsan. In line with this, we place significant importance on the strategic goals of our Ankara Havelsan Flight Training Center. One of the greatest advantages of having the training center in Ankara is ensuring direct and swift technical support from the manufacturer. This greatly contributes to the efficiency of our training processes. Through state-of-the-art training devices and simulations, we not only prepare our pilots to handle specific malfunctions but also equip them with the competence to manage various unexpected scenarios they might encounter during actual flight operations. Additionally, we train our pilots to attain a level of competence that enables them to efficiently manage flight operations. This approach allows us to take significant steps toward green operation and sustainability.

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