Sinan Dilek, Vice President of Turkish Airlines for Central and South Asia, spoke in an interview with the ORIENT online news portal about the strategic importance of Turkmenistan for the airline, the increase in flights to Ashgabat, and joint projects with Turkmen partners.

During his working visit to Ashgabat, Dilek emphasized that Turkish Airlines is actively working to develop regional routes and expand its flight network in Central Asia. Starting in September 2024, the company reorganized its Asian and Far East routes into two separate administrative blocks to intensify its operations in the region. As part of this strategy, the number of weekly flights to Ashgabat has increased from 7 to 17.

Currently, Turkmenistan is directly connected to Turkish Airlines’ global network, which covers 132 countries and operates over 480 aircraft. According to Dilek, this enhances not only connectivity but also cultural, economic, and educational ties.

“We’re not just selling tickets — we’re building air bridges,” said Dilek, highlighting that cooperation with local travel agencies goes beyond ordinary commerce.

At the Turkish Airlines Academy in Istanbul, the company conducts certified training programs for agents and new employees. In addition, to promote new destinations and expand business potential, Turkish Airlines organizes FAM trips for Turkmen travel agencies and press tours for media representatives. Some of these trips have already taken place — to sunny Antalya, as well as to Trabzon and Rize, known for their lush nature and unique flora. A trip to Cappadocia is scheduled for 2025. In the future, the airline plans to extend such programs to other destinations.

Dilek also highlighted the importance of local staff in Ashgabat. Most employees are Turkmen citizens, some of whom have been with the company for over ten years. New team members are actively integrated into the company through training programs and hands-on experience.

Speaking about the prospects in tourism and business, he noted that Turkish Airlines and its partners plan to implement several initiatives throughout 2025 aimed at strengthening ties and increasing passenger traffic.

In response to a question about his professional journey, Dilek shared that he has worked at Turkish Airlines for more than 13 years, advancing from a specialist to a regional director. He led the launch of “Air Albania” in the Balkans and took part in initiating several new projects. He continues to share his knowledge and experience with colleagues in the region.

At the end of the interview, Dilek expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome he received in Turkmenistan, noting that he viewed this trip not just as an international assignment, but as a spiritual journey to his ancestral homeland — “Ata Yurt.” He thanked his colleagues, agency partners, and the people of Turkmenistan for their cooperation, emphasizing the importance of strengthening friendly and professional relations between the two countries.

ORIENT